Implementing Agreements Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
For over 40 years, Congress has deliberated, to varying degrees, the potential pros and cons of the 1982 United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as it pertains to U.S. ocean poli...
The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor
The Constitution mandates that Congress convene at noon on January 3 unless the preceding Congress, by law, designated a different day. P.L. 113-201 set January 6, 2015, as the convening date of the 1...
Elections and Campaign Finance: Policy and Legal Background for Congress
Traditionally, the federal government’s role in campaigns and elections primarily includes regulating campaign finance, protecting voting rights, and supporting states in election administration. Cong...
Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program: Background and Summary of Final Rule
All 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and certain tribal nations operate Child Support Enforcement (CSE) programs pursuant to Title IV-D (§§451-469)...
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Through treaties, acts of Congress, and court decisions, the federal government has recognized a federal trust responsibility—a legal and moral obligation—toward federally recognized Tribes (hereinaft...