Policy Library

15 documents

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A Primer on Eligibility and Benefits
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Reports · 12,029 words · PDF available
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called the Food Stamp Program, is designed primarily to increase the food purchasing power of eligible low-income households to help them...
National Park Service: Government Shutdown Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Resources · 1,781 words · PDF available
Like other federal agencies, the National Park Service (NPS) has halted most operations during occasional government shutdowns resulting from lapses in appropriations. In the past three decades, such ...
U.S.-Japan Relations
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Resources · 1,754 words · PDF available
Overview Japan, a U.S. treaty ally since 1952, is an important U.S. partner in security, trade, and other areas. Shared bilateral goals include meeting the challenge of an assertive People’s Republic ...
Social Security Administration (SSA) Staffing Levels: Data Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Reports · 4,070 words · PDF available
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency in the executive branch headed by the commissioner of Social Security. It is responsible for administering Social Security and Supplem...
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Who Is a Veteran?
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Reports · 4,135 words · PDF available
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a broad range of benefits to uniformed services veterans and certain family members. Among these benefits are monthly, tax-free payments to disabl...
Defense Primer: The Golden Dome for America
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Resources · 1,677 words · PDF available
The Golden Dome for America (initially known as the Iron Dome for America) is an initiative of the second Trump Administration to develop an integrated air and missile defense system. President Donald...
Sanctuary Isn’t What You Think
Third Way · 2025-09-29 · Memo · 2,158 words
The White House has painted so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions as lawless safe havens that “harbor criminals” and “block” federal enforcement. The reality is far different. In fact, no state or city ...
Iraq
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Resources · 1,602 words · PDF available
The Republic of Iraq (Figure 1) sits at an intersection within the Middle East region, with ties to Iran, Turkey, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula shaping its interests, constraints, and opportun...
Section 301 Investigation into Brazil’s Acts, Policies, and Practices
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Posts · 1,056 words · PDF available
In July 2025, the second Trump Administration initiated its first investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, into Brazil’s practices related to digital trade and electronic payment serv...
Amendments to the Higher Education Act Made by P.L. 119-21, the FY2025 Budget Reconciliation Law
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Reports · 17,774 words · PDF available
Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) authorizes the primary federal financial assistance programs to aid students and their families in gaining access to and financing a postsecondary education....
National Park Service: FY2026 Appropriations
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Resources · 1,525 words · PDF available
The National Park Service (NPS) administers the National Park System, which includes 433 units valued for their natural, cultural, and recreational importance. System lands cover 81 million federal ac...
Pete Hegseth’s faux diagnosis of a crisis in America’s warrior spirit
Brookings Institution · 2025-09-29 · Article · 969 words
Hegseth’s first instinct should be to follow the Hippocratic Oath and do no harm to a system and an institution that remain excellent.
Trump to meet top Dems on shutdown
Substack Newsletters · 2025-09-29 · Newsletter Article · 89 words
House continues to jam the Senate on 7-week CR
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: Overview of FY2025 Appropriations
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Reports · 6,576 words · PDF available
The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill—often called the Interior bill—contains funding for about three dozen agencies and entities. They include most of the Department of ...
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: Overview of FY2026 Appropriations
Congressional Research Service · 2025-09-29 · Reports · 6,493 words · PDF available
The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill—often called the Interior bill—contains funding for about three dozen agencies and entities. They include most of the Department of ...