USDA Domestic Food Assistance Programs: FY2018 Appropriations
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) was enacted on March 23, 2018. This omnibus bill included appropriations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), of which USDA’s domesti...
Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects
When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to c...
Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act
On October 24, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271;...
Commercial Space: Federal Regulation, Oversight, and Utilization
U.S. companies have always been involved in spaceflight as contractors to government agencies. Increasingly, though, space is becoming commercial. A majority of U.S. satellites are now commercially ow...
Icebreaker Acquisition and the Need for a National Maritime Strategy
Coast Guard, merchant marine, polar, Great Lakes, icebreaker, cutter, ship, shipbuilding, procurement, acquisition, recapitalization, sealift, maritime strategy
Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plan Coverage: Frequently Asked Questions
Medicaid is a federal-state program that finances the delivery of primary and acute medical services, as well as long-term services and supports, to a diverse low-income population, including children...
Teacher Preparation Policies and Issues in the Higher Education Act
Approximately 26,000 state-approved teacher preparation programs are in operation across the United States. Among these, about 70% are traditional teacher preparation programs—that is, they are contai...
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271): Food and Drug Administration and Controlled Substance Provisions
On October 24, 2018, President Trump signed into law H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271; the SUPPO...
Types of Committee Hearings
Congressional committee hearings may be broadly classified into four types: legislative, oversight, investigative, and confirmation. Hearings may be held on Capitol Hill or elsewhere (e.g., a committe...
Impact Aid, Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act: A Primer
The Impact Aid program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and authorized by Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), was originally established in 1950 by P....
Robbery, Extortion, and Bribery in One Place: A Legal Overview of the Hobbs Act
The Hobbs Act proscribes obstructing commerce by means of robbery or extortion or attempting or conspiring to do so. The Act applies to individuals and legal entities alike. It permits prosecutions, a...
Party Leaders in the House: Election, Duties, and Responsibilities
Each major party in the House has a leadership hierarchy. This report summarizes the election, duties, and responsibilities of the Speaker of the House, the majority and minority leaders, and the whip...
VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (VA MISSION Act; P.L.115-182)
On June 6, 2018, the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018, or the VA MISSION Act of 2018...
California Dreamin’ of Privacy Regulation: The California Consumer Privacy Act and Congress
On June 28, 2018, with subsequent minor amendments, the State of California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), a law that generally restricts certain businesses’ ability to collect an...