WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R46858) on Jan. 24, 2025, by senior research librarian Sofia Plagakis. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 European Elections in 2025 ... 2 European Parliamentary and Presidential Elections ... 4 Figures Figure 1. European Elections in 2025 ... 3 Tables Table 1. European Parliamentary and Presidential Elections ... 4 Contacts Author Information ... 7 * * *  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12891) on Jan. 31, 2025. The white paper is written by international trade and finance analyst Michael D. Sutherland, and Asian affairs specialists Ricardo Barrios, Caitlin Campbell and Nicolas Cook. Here are excerpts: * * * China and Sub-Saharan Africa The People's Republic of China (PRC, or China) maintains bilateral diplomatic ties with all countries in sub-Saharan African ( more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12891) on Jan. 31, 2025, by Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance specialist and Michael D. Sutherland, international trade and finance analyst. 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  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12602) on Jan. 31, 2025, by energy policy analyst Martin C. Offutt and public finance analyst Nicholas E. Buffie. Here are excerpts: * * * The Clean Hydrogen Production Credit: How the Incentives are Structured P.L. 117-169, commonly referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), enacted a new tax credit for the production of "clean" hydrogen. Widespread adoption of h more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10503) on Jan. 27, 2025, by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman: * * * Constituent Services: Overview and Resources Introduction The priorities and activities of Member offices are varied. In addition to working on legislation and oversight, offices are commonly expected to provide constituent services as part of their representational duties. This expectation more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12886) on Jan. 29, 2025, by public financial economics specialist Andrew P. Scott: * * * De-Banking/De-Risking: Issues for the 119th Congress Banks are an important source of financial services in the U.S. economy. Consumers, such as households and businesses, rely on banks for safekeeping savings and for loans when they are short on funds. While access to banking services is w more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12574) on Jan. 30, 2025, by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson: * * * Farm Bill Primer: Horticulture Title and Related Provisions Beginning in 2008, enacted farm bill legislation has included a horticulture title covering specialty crops and certified organic products. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334) expanded the title to include more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12883) on Jan. 27, 2025, by Todd Kuiken, science and technology policy analyst: * * * Mirror Life: Biosafety/Biosecurity Oversight Considerations Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the molecule that carries genetic information of an organism. This genetic code is composed of nucleotide bases (adenine [A], thymine [T], cytosine [C], and guanine [G]) assembled from right to left into more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12574) on Jan. 28, 2025, by public finance analyst Brendan McDermott. Here are excerpts: * * * The Nonbusiness Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction The Internal Revenue Code generally allows taxpayers to deduct certain unreimbursed losses caused by recent disasters and thefts from their income subject to the income tax. Lawmakers have adjusted aspects of this deduction over time.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10634) on Jan. 31, 2025, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * Office of Government Ethics: A Primer The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.13121-13126), created the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to provide "overall direction of executive branch policies related to preventing conflicts of interest on the part of officers more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11546) on Jan. 27, 2025, by Ben Wilhelm, government organization and management analyst: * * * Removal of Inspectors General: Rules, Practice, and Considerations for Congress In 1978, Congress passed the Inspector General Act (IG Act; P.L. 95-452) with the intent to improve oversight within certain executive branch agencies. During the floor debate on the legislation, Senator Th more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12890) on Jan. 31, 2025, by social policy analyst Zhe Li: * * * The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (P.L. 118-273) was signed into law on January 5, 2025. The legislation repeals two provisions under Social Security - the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) - for monthly benefits payable after  more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12881) on Jan. 27, 2025, by natural resources policy specialists Mark K. DeSantis and Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * Trump Administration Actions: Geographic Naming In President Trump's second inaugural speech, he stated that his Administration would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and return the name of Denali in Alaska to Mount McKinley more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12882) on Jan. 27, 2025. The white paper is written by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard, international sanctions and financial crimes specialist Liana W. Rosen and international humanitarian policy specialist Rhoda Margesson: * * * Yemen: Terrorism Designation, U.S. Policy, and Congress On January 22, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive o more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12493) on Jan. 27, 2025, by government organization and management specialists Dominick A. Fiorentino and Clinton T. Brass: * * * Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Executive Order: Early Implementation On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order (EO) titled "Establishing and Implementing the President's 'Department of Government Efficiency'" (DO more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. FY2025 NDAA: Medical Standards to Join the Military) on Jan. 29, 2025, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Medical Standards to Join the Military Background Congress has established broad qualifications that individuals must meet in order to join the military (i.e., military accession). By statute, a secretary of a m more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12450) on Jan. 29, 2025, 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 considered changes to Selective Service registration and associated penalties for failure to register (see  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11129) on Jan. 31, 2025, by Christopher A. Casey, international trade and finance analyst: * * * The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Tariffs: Historical Background and Key Issues President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to impose a 10%-20% tariff on all imports. He has also asserted that he intends to impose tariffs on specific count more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12497) on Jan. 29, 2025, by Taylor N. Riccard, government organization and management analyst: * * * Recent Executive Actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Background President Donald Trump issued executive order (E.O.) 14151 titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing" on January 20, 2025. This E.O. seeks to end diversity, equity, and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12499) on Jan. 31, 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 ac more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12494) on Jan. 28, 2025, by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. District Court Nominees Confirmed During the Biden Presidency: Overview and Comparative Statistics This Insight provides statistics related to the nomination and confirmation of U.S. district court nominees during the Biden presidency. This Insight also compares the more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12496) on Jan. 29, 2025, by international relations specialist Luisa Blanchfield and foreign policy legislation specialist Matthew C. Weed: * * * The World Health Organization (WHO): Background and U.S. Withdrawal Overview and Current Status The World Health Organization (WHO) is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency charged with addressing global health. The United States pla more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11262) on Jan. 29, 2025. The white paper is written by legislative attorneys Jimmy Balser, Jon O. Shimabukuro and Mainon A. Schwartz: * * * A New Civil Service "Policy/Career" Schedule: Issues for Lawmakers On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) reinstating and amending EO 13957 - an EO issued during the first Trump Administration in late 2020 more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41873) on Jan. 31, 2025, entitled "The Child Tax Credit: How It Works and Who Receives It" by public finance analyst Brendan McDermott. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report provides an overview of the child tax credit under current law, including a review of temporary changes made by P.L. 115-97 (also known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or TCJA). The child tax credit allows eligible ta more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48364) on Jan. 23, 2025, entitled "Considerations for Reprocessing of Spent Nuclear Fuel" by environmental policy analyst Lance N. Larson and energy policy specialist Mark Holt. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Nuclear reactors generate about 20% of U.S. commercial electric power and almost half of the nation's low carbon electricity generation. However, nuclear reactors also produce highly r more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44726) on Jan. 27, 2025, entitled "Constituent Services: Overview and Resources" by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman: * * * SUMMARY Constituent service encompasses a wide array of nonlegislative activities undertaken by Members of Congress or congressional staff, and it is commonly considered a representational responsibility. Member offices vary in their priorities, activi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45699) on Jan. 22, 2025, entitled "The Federal Communications Commission: Structure, Operations and Budget" by Patricia Moloney Figliola, internet and telecommunications policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent federal agency established by the Communications Act of 1934 (1934 Act, or "Communications Act"). The agency is  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL34498) on Jan. 31, 2025, entitled "Federal Individual Income Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction & Personal Exemption: 1988 to 2025" by public finance analyst Brendan McDermott. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report tracks changes in federal individual income tax brackets, the standard deduction, and the personal exemption since 1988. All three tax items have been indexed for inflation si more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL32794) on Jan. 22, 2025, entitled "House Committee Funding: Process and Historical Appropriations and Authorizations" by Congress specialist Ida A. Brudnick. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY House Committee Funding: Process and Historical Appropriations and Authorizations This report provides an overview of funding for committees in the House of Representatives. In particular, it includes  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48362) on Jan. 22, 2025, entitled "ITER - An International Nuclear Fusion Research and Development Facility." The report is written by science and technology policy analyst Todd Kuiken, and energy policy specialists Mark Holt and Martin C. Offutt. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY ITER, previously referred to as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a multibillion-dollar co more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47162) on Jan. 24, 2025, entitled "Overview of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Infrastructure Assistance" by natural resources policy specialist Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress has authorized and appropriated funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) environmental infrastructure (EI) assistance for the design and construction of certain infrastruct more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47639) on Jan. 23, 2025, entitled "Presidential Medal of Freedom" by senior research librarian Ben Leubsdorf. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Presidential Medal of Freedom The Presidential Medal of Freedom is considered the U.S. government's highest civilian honor. Awarded by the President, it is often presented to individuals to recognize a lifetime of significant achievements in the arts, p more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 94-803) on Jan. 15, 2025, entitled "Social Security: Cost-of-Living Adjustments" by social policy analyst T. Lynn Sears and senior research librarian Tamar B. Breslauer. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary To compensate for the effects of inflation, Social Security recipients usually receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). According to parameters outlined in the Social Security Act (4 more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48369) on Jan. 27, 2025, entitled "The U.S. Courts of Appeals: Background and Circuit Splits from 2024" by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia and section research manager Craig W. Canetti. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Courts of Appeals frequently act as the final arbiters of questions of law within their respective jurisdictions. Although the Supreme Court of the Unite more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44997) on Jan. 27, 2025, entitled "The Vacancies Act: A Legal Overview" by legislative attorney Valerie C. Brannon. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (Vacancies Act, or Act) generally provides the exclusive means for a government employee to perform temporarily the functions and duties of a vacant presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position in a more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44997) on Jan. 27, 2025, entitled "The Vacancies Act - A Legal Overview:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Vacancies Act Limitations on Acting Service Section 3348 of the Vacancies Act authorizes only certain officers or employees to perform the "functions and duties" of a vacant advice-and-consent office./91 Unless an acting officer is serving in compliance with the Vacancies Act, "the of more PR

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44997) on Jan. 27, 2025, entitled "The Vacancies Act - A Legal Overview:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Delegation of Duties Ambiguity in the definition of "function or duty" has created competing interpretations of what functions are covered by the Vacancies Act, as explained above./243 The Act defines a covered "function or duty" to include only statutory or regulatory duties that are  more PR