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...
Rail Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas: Safety and Regulation
An emerging alternative to domestic natural gas pipelines is shipping natural gas by rail, creating what some refer to as “virtual pipelines.” On April 10, 2019, the Trump Administration issued Execut...
This Land Is Whose Land? The McGirt v. Oklahoma Decision and Considerations for Congress
On July 9, 2020, the Supreme Court announced its decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma—hailed by some as the “most significant Indian Law case of the century.” In a 5-4 ruling, the Court held that land reser...
CARES Act Payments Use and Recipient Characteristics: In Brief
In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. 116-136) provided direct payments to individuals and families. ...
Will the FTC Need to Rethink Its Enforcement Playbook (Part II)? Circuit Split Casts Doubt on the FTC’s Ability to Seek Restitution in Section 13(b) Suits
UPDATE: On July 9, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the Seventh Circuit’s decision in FTC v. Credit Bureau Center and the Ninth Circuit’s decision in AMG Capital Management v. FTC. The Co...