Policy Library

7 documents

SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program
Congressional Research Service · 2025-07-18 · Reports · 14,591 words · PDF available
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Surety Bond Guarantee Program is designed to increase small businesses’ access to federal, state, and local government contracting, as well as private-secto...
FCC v. Consumers’ Research: High Court Rejects Challenge to Universal Service Fund
Congressional Research Service · 2025-07-18 · Posts · 2,835 words · PDF available
In the Communications Act of 1934, Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make available, “so far as possible, to all the people of the United States,” wire and radio communi...
Supreme Court Declines Review of Decision Upholding Constitutionality of Maryland’s “Assault Weapons” Ban
Congressional Research Service · 2025-07-18 · Posts · 2,353 words · PDF available
In 2017, the en banc U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that a Maryland ban on certain firearms defined as “assault weapons” was consistent with the Second Amendment. In 2022, the Supre...
What Is a “Church” for Federal Tax Purposes?
Congressional Research Service · 2025-07-18 · Resources · 1,836 words · PDF available
Entities that are “churches” under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 170(b)(1)(A)(i) also qualify as “religious organizations” under IRC Section 501(c)(3) and thus are generally exempt from the fede...
Data on Private Sector Defined Benefit Plans, 2010-2022
Congressional Research Service · 2025-07-18 · Resources · 1,045 words · PDF available
A pension is a voluntary benefit that employers can offer to assist employees in providing for their financial security in retirement. Pension plans receive a number of tax advantages and vary along a...
Stablecoin Legislation: An Overview of S. 1582, GENIUS Act of 2025
Congressional Research Service · 2025-07-18 · Posts · 1,032 words · PDF available
On July 17, 2025, the House passed S. 1582, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025, or GENIUS Act, without amendment. An overview of key policy issues can be...
Votes on Measures to Adjust the Statutory Debt Limit, 1978 to Present
Congressional Research Service · 2025-07-18 · Reports · 4,742 words · PDF available
Almost all borrowing by the federal government is conducted by the Department of the Treasury, within the restrictions established by a single, statutory limit (ceiling) on the total amount of debt th...