WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R46639) on Feb. 4, 2025, by reference and instruction librarian Megan Hunt: * * * Inauguration Day: Fact Sheet Introduction Inauguration Day is a quadrennial legal holiday in the District of Columbia and neighboring parts of Maryland and Virginia, observed when the President and the Vice President are sworn into office on January 20. If January 20 falls on a Sunday, Inauguration Day is obse more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44363) on Feb. 4, 2025, by Maya V. Thomas, reference and digital services librarian: * * * National African American History Month Speech Resources: Fact Sheet SUMMARY This fact sheet links to authoritative information resources related to National African American History Month, which is also referred to as African American History Month and Black History Month. It is designed to assist c more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12772) on Feb. 3, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Army's Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization (SPH-M) Program Background The Army's current self-propelled artillery system, the M109 Paladin, first entered service in the 1960s and has been upgraded numerous times. The Army has two types of artillery: self-propelled, a how more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12891) on Feb. 3, 2025, by Karen M. Sutter and Michael D. Sutherland, Asian trade and finance specialists. Here are excerpts: * * * China's E-Commerce Exports and U.S. De Minimis Policies The People's Republic of China (PRC or China) has expanded its global e-commerce exports by more than tenfold over the past five years; PRC exports of low-value single packages expanded from $ more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12508) on Feb. 4, 2025, by Rachel Lindbergh, science and technology policy analyst: * * * Commercial Human Spaceflight Safety Regulations The Department of Transportation (DOT), acting through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has regulatory authority over commercial space launch and reentry, including for spacecraft with human occupants. The FAA's authority allows it to more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12893) on Feb. 3, 2025, by acting section research manager Grant A. Driessen. Here are excerpts: * * * Selected Issues in Tax Reform: The Deduction for State and Local Taxes Members of Congress are currently debating legislative options related to the deduction for state and local taxes paid (or SALT deduction), which is among the largest tax expenditures in the federal income t more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12891) on Feb. 3, 2025, by social policy specialist Alexandra Hegji. Here are excerpts: * * * Direct Loan Program Student Loans: Deferment and Forbearance Upon borrowing a loan under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program, borrowers assume a contractual obligation to repay the debt over a period of time that may span a decade or more. Typically, once a loa more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11303) on Feb. 7, 2025, by African affairs specialist Lauren Ploch Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Djibouti Djibouti, a small, arid country in the Horn of Africa, is strategically located on one of the world's busiest shipping routes at the Bab el Mandeb Strait--the gateway from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean (Figure 1). Its geographic position has beco more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11218) on Jan. 29, 2025, by foreign affairs analyst Joshua Klein. Here are excerpts: * * * Ecuador: Country Overview and U.S. Relations Ecuador is an ethnically and geographically diverse country of 18.5 million people, encompassing portions of South America's Pacific coast, Amazon Basin, and Andean highlands (see Figure 1). Ecuador faces a security crisis, with gangs fighting f more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12885) on Jan. 29, 2025, by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Foreign Assistance Authorization: Background and Issues Introduction Congress has the power to authorize, fund, and oversee the implementation of U.S. foreign policy. In carrying out such responsibilities, Congress has set requirements for foreign affairs app more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12771) on Jan. 29, 2025, by defense policy specialist Jennifer DiMascio. Here are excerpts: * * * Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Background The U.S. Army is developing the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) to serve as a next-generation aircraft for vertical lift, air assault, maritime interdiction, aeromedical evacuation, combat search and rescue, humanitar more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12888) on Jan. 30, 2025, by natural resources policy specialists Carol Hardy Vincent and Laura B. Comay: * * * The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA): Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)? The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA; P.L. 116-152) established in the U.S. Treasury a new fund - the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fu more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12895) on Feb. 4, 2025. The white paper is written by health policy specialists Kavya Sekar, Amanda K. Sarata and Hassan Z. Sheikh: * * * H5N1 Avian Influenza: The Human Health Response Since early 2022, a U.S. H5N1 avian influenza ("bird flu") outbreak in poultry and wild birds has led to outbreaks in dairy herds. Increasing cases of transmission from animals to humans occurred more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12595) on Feb. 5, 2025. The white paper is written by defense policy analysts Hannah D. Dennis and Jennifer DiMascio and advanced technology and global security analyst Kelley M. Sayler. Here are excerpts: * * * Hypersonic Missile Defense: Issues for Congress The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) are currently developing elements of a hypersonic mi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12899) on Feb. 5, 2025, by telecommunications policy analyst Ling Zhu. Here are excerpts: * * * Data Centers and Cloud Computing: Information Technology Infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), a "critical and emerging technology," presents policy considerations for U.S. leadership, with implications for economic competitiveness more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12889) on Jan. 30, 2025. The white paper is written by health care financing analyst Laura A. Wreschnig, legislative attorney Hannah-Alise Rogers and senior research librarian Michele L. Malloy. Here are excerpts: * * * Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration Introduction Medicare Part D is a voluntary federal program that provides outpatient prescription drug cov more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12765) on Jan. 30, 2025, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke and international trade and finance specialist M. Angeles Villarreal: * * * Mexico: Political Overview and U.S.-Mexican Relations On October 1, 2024, Mexico - a top U.S. partner in trade, security, and migration matters - inaugurated Claudia Sheinbaum for a single, six-year presidential term. Shei more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12010) on Feb. 5, 2025, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Military Applications of Extended Reality Although commercial and consumer industries have been investing in extended reality (XR) for decades, recent advances have expanded the number of potential applications for the U.S. military. As such, the Office of the U more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12900) on Feb. 5, 2025. The white paper is written by science and technology policy analyst Rachel Lindbergh and defense policy analysts Jennifer DiMascio and Hannah D. Dennis. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: National Security Space Launch The U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD's) National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program acquires commercial launch services to deplo more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12898) on Feb. 4, 2025, by natural resources policy specialist Caitlin Keating-Bitonti. Here are excerpts: * * * NOAA's Future Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) Mission About every two decades since 1975, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has deployed a new generation of geostationary satellites. In 2019, NOAA began defining requirements for it more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12892) on Jan. 30, 2025, by labor policy specialist Elizabeth Weber Handwerker: * * * Prevailing Wage Requirements for H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 Workers in Specialty Occupations Introduction The H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa programs allow for the temporary employment of foreign workers in specialty occupations in the United States. A specialty occupation is one that requires theoretical  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12595) on Feb. 5, 2025. The white paper is written by section research manager Shannon L. Smith, foreign affairs analyst Kosi Ogbuli and African affairs specialists Alexis Arieff, Lauren Ploch Blanchard and Nicolas Cook. Here are excerpts: * * * https://crsreports.congress.gov February 5, 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa: Selected Issues for the 119th Congress As the 119th Congress app more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12202) on Jan. 29, 2025, by agricultural policy analysts Joel L. Greene and Christine Whitt. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: Support for the Dairy Industry The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program was enacted in the 2018 farm bill (P.L. 115-334, Sec.1401) to support milk producers. It replaces the 2014 farm bill's Margin Protection Program (P.L. 113-79, Sec.1403). Pri more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12160) on Feb. 5, 2025, by Agricultural Policy specialist Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: Support for Tribal Food and Agriculture The 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; P.L. 115-334) expanded federal farm program support for tribal agricultural producers and communities. Congress further enhanced community and economic development for more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12419) on Feb. 5, 2025, by American national government analyst Taylor R. Knoedl. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S. Census Bureau Overview The United States Census Bureau is a federal agency that provides statistical data about the nation's people and economy. Article I, Section 2, clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution mandates a decennial census count of the population. The first  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12894) on Feb. 3, 2025, by Liana W. Rosen, international sanctions and financial crimes specialist: Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Sanctions Policy in the 119th Congress: Recent Executive Actions and Legislative Implications Through a series of executive actions in January 2025, President Donald Trump has ordered changes to several U.S. sanctions programs. The 119th Congress may  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12595) on Feb. 5, 2025, by Kyla H. Kitamura, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Canada Trade Relations The United States and Canada have one of the largest bilateral trade relationships in the world, including highly integrated energy and automotive markets. U.S.-Canada trade has been governed first by the 1989 U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10931) on Feb. 7, 2025, by Shayerah I. Akhtar, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-EU Trade Relations The United States and the 27-member European Union (EU) - when considered as a bloc - have the world's largest bilateral trade and investment relationship. Their ties are highly integrated, with supply chains and cross-border investments. Gi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12150) on Feb. 3, 2025, 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 ind more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12901) on Feb. 7, 2025, by income security specialists Julie M. Whittaker and Katelin P. Isaacs: * * * Unemployment Compensation for Former Federal Employees and Military Servicemembers Background Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a joint federal-state system that provides income support through weekly benefit payments. The UI system's two main objectives are to provide temporary a more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12275) on Feb. 3, 2025, by agricultural policy specialists Renee Johnson and Lia Biondo. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: USDA Support for Aquaculture Operations Aquaculture operations that grow aquatic animal and plant species under controlled conditions - in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy and statutory definitions - are generally eligib more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12191) on Feb. 7, 2025, by economic development policy analyst Joseph V. Jaroscak: * * * CDBG-DR Process Standardization: Selected HUD Actions and Legislative Proposals Introduction Periodically, Congress has provided supplemental appropriations for Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12488) on Feb. 3, 2025, by energy policy specialist Phillip Brown and international trade and finance analyst Christopher A. Casey. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Petroleum Trade: Crude Oil Imports from Canada and Mexico and Potential Tariffs The United States engages in petroleum trade with Canada and Mexico, including imports and exports of crude oil and petroleum products (e.g. more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12493) on Feb. 6, 2025, by Kelsi Bracmort, natural resources and energy policy specialist: Here are excerpts: * * * Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Executive Order: Early Implementation On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order (E.O.) titled "Establishing and Implementing the President's 'Department of Government Efficiency'" (DOGE), which r more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11129) on Feb. 3, 2025, by international trade and finance analyst Christopher A. Casey. Here are excerpts: * * * The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (NEA) and Tariffs: Historical Background and Key Issues On February 1, 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced that he was imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China and cited t more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12505) on Feb. 6, 2025, by Taylor N. Riccard, government organization and management analyst: * * * Federal Workforce Downsizing: Voluntary and Involuntary Mechanisms The second Trump Administration has stated plans to downsize the federal workforce, which it has indicated may involve actions in which individuals' employment with federal agencies is ended (referred to as a separat more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12501) on Feb. 3, 2025, by immigration policy specialist Holly Straut-Eppsteiner. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2024 Immigration Court Data: Case Outcomes Immigration courts within the U.S. Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) adjudicate formal removal proceedings for foreign nationals whom the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has charged with  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12418) on Feb. 3, 2025, by defense policy analyst Daniel M. Gettinger. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Countering Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Background Congress has expressed concerns about the threats posed by uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS, commonly known as drones) to U.S. military personnel and defense installations at home and abroad, as well as an interest in the abil more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12497) on Jan. 30, 2025, by aviation policy specialist Jill C. Gallagher: Here are excerpts: * * * Midair Collision in Washington, DC, Focuses National Attention on Aviation Safety On the night of January 29, 2025, a crash involving a Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet 700 (CRJ-700) and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter occurred over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washin more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12436) on Feb. 7, 2025, by Military Personnel specialist Kristy N. Kamarck. Here are excerpts * * * FY2025 NDAA: Military Child Care Proposals In 2023, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) established a Quality of Life (QOL) Panel to develop proposals for a National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA). On April 8, 2024, the QOL Panel released its fi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12502) on Feb. 4, 2025, by Meghan M. Stuessy, government organization and management analyst: * * * OMB Releases OPEN Government Data Act Guidance On January 15, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released Memorandum M-25-05, which contains long-awaited implementation guidance for the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act (OPEN Government Data Ac more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12504) on Feb. 6, 2025, by transportation and industry analyst Rachel Y. Tang: * * * Reagan National Airport Slot and Perimeter Rules and Exemptions Authorized in 2024 The deadly midair collision on January 29, 2025, between a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has prompted discussion over conge more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12497) on Jan. 30, 2025, by telecommunications policy specialist Jill C. Gallagher: * * * Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program: Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program? On March 12, 2020, the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-124) became law. The act addresse more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12499) on Feb. 3, 2025, by foreign affairs analyst Joshua Klein and international sanctions and financial crimes specialist Liana W. Rosen: * * * U.S. Cuba Policy: Recent Developments and the 119th Congress U.S.-Cuba policy has been a focus of both presidential and congressional attention in the early weeks of 2025. On January 14, 2025, President Biden issued several executive act more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IF11064) on Feb. 4, 2025, by financial economics specialist Rena S. Miller and international sanctions and financial crimes specialist Liana W. Rosen: * * * U.S. Efforts to Combat Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Other Illicit Financial Threats The United States maintains a multifaceted policy regime for tackling anti-money laundering (AML), combating the financing of terr more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12503) on Feb. 5, 2025, by income security specialists Julie M. Whittaker and Katelin P. Isaacs: * * * Unemployment Benefits for Workers Impacted by the California Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds Disaster Workers who become unemployed for reasons directly attributable to a presidentially declared major disaster, such as the California Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds disaster ( more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12500) on Feb. 3, 2025, by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist: * * * USAID Under the Trump Administration On Monday, February 3, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he would serve as the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID). Also on February 3, USAID staff were directed not to report to the agen more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN10979) on Feb. 6, 2025, by Kelsi Bracmort, natural resources and energy policy specialist: * * * Updated February 6, 2025 E15 - a fuel blend of up to 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline - generally cannot be sold during the summer driving season (June 1-September 15) because it does not meet the gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements, which limit fuel volatility under the Clean  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11265) on Feb. 4, 2025. The white paper is written by legislative attorneys Alejandra Aramayo, Kelsey Y. Santamaria and Hillel R. Smith: * * * Recent White House Actions on Immigration Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump and his Administration have issued numerous executive actions and initiatives related to the enforcement of federal immigration laws. more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47985) on Jan. 30, 2025, entitled "The 2024 Army Force Structure Transformation Initiative" by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert: * * * SUMMARY Since the U.S. Army's inception in 1775, it has reorganized or transformed its force structure on several occasions. These changes have occurred for a variety of reasons, such as shifting security requirements; to fight the nation's wars more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47985) on Feb. 5, 2025, entitled "The 2024 Army Force Structure Transformation Initiative" by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert: * * * SUMMARY Since the U.S. Army's inception in 1775, it has reorganized or transformed its force structure on several occasions. These changes have occurred for a variety of reasons, such as shifting security requirements; to fight the nation's wars  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48406) on Feb. 6, 2025, entitled "Connecting Veterans and Veterans Organizations to Federal Transportation Assistance" by senior research librarians Tamar B. Breslauer and Michele L. Malloy: * * * SUMMARY Many veterans have transportation needs that affect their daily lives. Specifically, veterans often require access to medical facilities for their own care and may not have access to transport more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48295) on Feb. 4, 2025, entitled "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Budget: Background, Trends and Policy Options." The report is written by financial economics specialists Karl E. Schneider and Baird Webel and research assistant Graham C. Tufts. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and C more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48295) on Feb. 4, 2025, entitled "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Budget - Background, Trends and Policy Options:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Comparison to Other Regulators Funding Source Most financial regulators generate income and their budgets from various sources, particularly fees or assessments on entities that they oversee. For example, the Office of the Comptroller o more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48038) on Feb. 6, 2025, entitled "Executive Orders and U.S. LNG Exports: Frequently Asked Questions" by energy policy specialist Michael Ratner. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Questions and Answers ... 1 Has the Biden Administration "pause" been lifted? ... 1 Do other executive orders mention LNG exports? ... 1 Generally, what is the LNG export permitting process? more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48387) on Feb. 3, 2025, entitled "Exemptions to the Fiscal Responsibility Act's Discretionary Spending Limits" by Congress and legislative process specialists Drew C. Aherne and Megan S. Lynch. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA, P.L. 118-5) established statutory limits on discretionary spending (also known as "spending caps") for FY2024 and FY2025. The more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48363) on Jan. 22, 2025, entitled "The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS): Primer and Issues for Congress" by telecommunications policy analyst Amanda H. Peskin. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Emergency alerting is critical to emergency response. Effective dissemination of emergency alerting communications at all stages of an emergency can increase the likelihood that people  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41129) on Feb. 5, 2025, entitled "Navy Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Navy's Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new SSBNs to replace the Navy's current force of 14 aging Ohio-c more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41129) on Feb. 5, 2025, entitled "Navy Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Issues for Congress Impact of 12- to 16-Month Delay in Delivery of First Boat Overview One oversight issue for Congress concerns the impact of the estimated 12- to 16-month delay in the delivery of the first Columbia-class boat on more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48379) on Jan. 30, 2025, entitled "Organic Agriculture Standards: Oversight and Enforcement" by agricultural policy analyst Zachary T. Neuhofer. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The National Organic Program (NOP) is a voluntary program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The Organic Food and Production Act of 1990 (OFPA), enacted  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 98-314) on Jan. 6, 2025, entitled "Suspension of the Rules in the House: Principal Features" by Congress and legislative process specialist Elizabeth Rybicki. Here are excerpts: * * * Suspension of the rules is a procedure that the House of Representatives often uses on the floor to act expeditiously on legislation. This procedure is governed primarily by clause 1 of House Rule XV. When a bill o more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48413) on Feb. 5, 2025, entitled "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant: A Primer" by social policy specialist Gene Falk. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides federal grants to the 50 states, District of Columbia, and territories (collectively, "states"), as well as Indian tribes. TANF helps fund state-run progra more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48413) on Feb. 5, 2025, entitled "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant - A Primer:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Furthering State Flexibility: Limitation on Federal Regulatory Authority TANF's purpose of increasing flexibility is reinforced by a statutory limitation on federal regulation of state behavior under the block grant: 'No officer or employee of the Federal Gov more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL34619) on Jan. 30, 2025, entitled "Use of the Capitol Rotunda, Capitol Grounds and Emancipation Hall: Concurrent Resolutions, 101st to 118th Congresses" by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Capitol Rotunda and the Capitol Grounds have been used as the setting for a variety of events, ranging from memorial ceremonies and the reception of foreign dignitar more PR