Patent Law: A Handbook for Congress
A patent gives its owner the exclusive right to make, use, import, sell, or offer for sale the invention covered by the patent. The patent system has long been viewed as important to encouraging Ameri...
Do Veterans Have Choices in How They Access Health Care?
Introduction
On June 6, 2018, the President signed into law the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-182, as amended). Among other things, the act established a new Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP)....
Expanding the Selective Service: Legal Issues Surrounding Women and the Draft
Should American women be required to register for the draft alongside their male counterparts? On March 25, 2020, the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service (the Commission) rel...
Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Federal Government
Although there are many opportunities in the federal government for internships, fellowships, and other work experience, there is no comprehensive source to assist in locating these opportunities. Thi...
Trade-Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations, Commerce, Science, Justice and Related Agencies (CJS)
This report provides an overview of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget request and appropriations for the International Trade Administration (ITA), the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), and t...
Federal Conservation Corps Programs: Options for Congress in Response to COVID19
Due to the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, unemployment across the United States has risen to levels unseen since the Great Depression. In response, some stakeholders, inc...
Trends in Commemorative Legislation, 93rd Through 115th Congresses
Since the Continental Congress, commemorative legislation has been used to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions to American history and society; extol the virtues of individuals, g...
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund: Requirements and Selected Policy Issues
Broadband internet has become increasingly important in the 21st century, as more and more aspects of everyday life, such as job applications and homework assignments, require the use of digital techn...
Military Courts-Martial Under the Military Justice Act of 2016
The Supreme Court has called military justice a system of justice separate from jurisprudence in the civilian courts. Members of the Armed Forces are subject to rules, orders, proceedings, and consequ...
Biometric Entry-Exit System: Legislative History and Status
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is statutorily required to develop and implement an automated biometric (i.e., physical characteristics such as fingerprints, face, or irises) entry-exit syst...
The Individual Mandate for Health Insurance Coverage: In Brief
The individual mandate, as established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended), has been in effect since 2014. From January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2...
President Trump’s Executive Actions on Student Loans, Wage Assistance, Payroll Taxes, and Evictions: Initial Takeaways
In enacting the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act (CARES Act), Congress provided relief to those confronting economic hardship as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) ...
Social Security: Economic Growth and the Funding Shortfall
The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program, commonly known as Social Security, is facing a projected financial shortfall. The program provides monthly benefits to retired or disa...