Policy Library

6,587 documents

Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-25 · Reports · 5,408 words · PDF available
This report provides a regional snapshot of the state of democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy worldwide. Using tables and grap...
The ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System and the Federal Role
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-24 · Reports · 22,546 words
Portions of all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, are vulnerable to earthquake hazards and associated risks to varying degrees. Among the costliest U.S. earthquake d...
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program: History, Funding, and Potential Issues for Reauthorization
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-24 · Reports · 13,797 words · PDF available
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program is one of the primary sources of federal support for state and local law enforcement in the United States. The program is administered by the CO...
China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-24 · Reports · 36,912 words
China’s military modernization effort, including its naval modernization effort, is the top focus of U.S. defense planning and budgeting. China’s naval modernization effort has been underway for about...
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-24 · Resources · 1,400 words · PDF available
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program is a Department of Justice (DOJ) formula grant program. The JAG program allocates funds to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Pue...
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 1): Introduction
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Posts · 951 words · PDF available
This Legal Sidebar post is the first in a six-part series that discusses the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying or abridgin...
Building Codes, Standards, and Regulations: Frequently Asked Questions
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Reports · 27,567 words · PDF available
A building code provides rules and standards for the design, construction, alteration, materials, maintenance, and performance of buildings. The main purpose of building codes is to protect public hea...
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 2): History of Voter Age Qualifications
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Posts · 1,418 words · PDF available
This Legal Sidebar post is the second in a six-part series that discusses the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying or abridging, o...
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 3): The Vietnam War and Oregon v. Mitchell
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Posts · 773 words · PDF available
This Legal Sidebar post is the third in a six-part series that discusses the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying or abridging, on...
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 4): Early Congressional Action
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Posts · 924 words · PDF available
This Legal Sidebar post is the fourth in a six-part series that discusses the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying or abridging, o...
Kenya: Current Issues and U.S. Relations
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Reports · 12,271 words · PDF available
Long-standing U.S. ties with Kenya have deepened over the past decade, despite some tensions. In May 2024, President Joe Biden hosted Kenya’s President William Ruto for a State Visit, marking the 60th...
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Authorities and Membership
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Reports · 5,007 words · PDF available
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) is an independent federal agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil, among other responsi...
Congressional and Presidential Authority to Impose Import Tariffs
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Reports · 15,687 words · PDF available
This report examines Congress’s constitutional power over import tariffs, Congress’s ability to delegate some of its authority over tariffs to the President within certain limits, the scope of specifi...
The Decennial Census of Population and Housing: An Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Resources · 1,343 words · PDF available
Every decade in the year ending with “0,” the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the decennial census of population and housing. The decennial census is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitut...
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 5): Congressional Debates
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Posts · 989 words · PDF available
This Legal Sidebar post is the fifth in a six-part series that discusses the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying or abridging, on...
Smithsonian Institution: Potential Effects of Executive Order 14253
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Resources · 1,049 words · PDF available
On March 27, 2025, the President issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14253, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” Among other actions affecting Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and monuments a...
The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Resources · 1,428 words · PDF available
Background In March 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) announced a major force design initiative planned to occur over 10 years originally referred to as “Force Design 2030” which is now known as “For...
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Section 7001 Report on Future Studies and Projects
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Posts · 888 words · PDF available
Congress specifically authorizes most water resource development studies, projects, and other assistance activities performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) typically through Water Resour...
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Reduction of the Voting Age (Part 6): Unresolved Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Posts · 818 words · PDF available
This Legal Sidebar post is the last in a six-part series that discusses the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying or abridging, on ...
Revenues and Disbursements from Oil and Natural Gas Leases on Onshore Federal Lands
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Reports · 10,543 words · PDF available
Federal revenues from oil and natural gas production on federal lands support a range of federal and state programs and activities. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the primary federal agency re...
Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-23 · Reports · 11,865 words · PDF available
Senators and Representatives are frequently asked to support or sponsor proposals recognizing historic events and outstanding achievements by individuals or institutions. Among the various forms of re...
A Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-22 · Resources · 1,880 words · PDF available
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has two main policy goals: (1) to provide access...
Tickets for Live Entertainment Events
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-22 · Reports · 9,362 words · PDF available
Each year, millions of Americans purchase tickets for live entertainment events, such as concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events. Tickets for live events initially are sold in the prima...
Floodplain Buyouts: Federal Funding for Property Acquisition
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-22 · Posts · 1,029 words · PDF available
Flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in the United States and experts expect effects to intensify in the future. A floodplain buyout is a property acquisition in which a government agency pu...
Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-22 · Reports · 17,769 words · PDF available
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was established by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA; 42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.) and was most recently reauthorized to September 30, 2025, throug...
Tracking Federal Awards in States and Congressional Districts Using USAspending.gov
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-22 · Resources · 1,399 words · PDF available
Overview USAspending.gov is a government source for data on federal awards by state, congressional district (CD), zip code, city, and county. The awards data in USAspending.gov are provided by federal...
Tracking Federal Awards: USAspending.gov and Other Data Sources
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-22 · Reports · 4,582 words · PDF available
USAspending.gov, available at http://www.USAspending.gov, is a government source for data on federal awards by state, congressional district (CD), county, city, and zip code. The awards data in USAspe...
Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-21 · Reports · 15,232 words · PDF available
The Navy’s Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program, previously called the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program, envisions procuring a class of 18 to 35 new amphibious ships to support the Marine Corps, pa...
Uganda: Current Issues and U.S. Relations
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-21 · Reports · 11,446 words · PDF available
Uganda, led by one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state, President Yoweri Museveni, has one of the youngest, most rapidly growing, and fastest urbanizing populations in the world. The country...
School Lunch and Breakfast Participation: A Snapshot of Recent Trends
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-21 · Reports · 17,987 words · PDF available
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide federal funding for school lunches and breakfasts served to nearly 30 million students in approximately 94,000 eleme...
Hydrogen-Fueled Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs): Overview, Deployment Activities, and Considerations for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-21 · Reports · 21,178 words · PDF available
Fuel cell-electric vehicles consume hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen to provide electric power, turning a motor while giving off only heat and water. The recent rise in fuel cell-electric vehicles is o...
Immigration Parolees’ Eligibility for Federal Benefits
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-18 · Reports · 7,708 words · PDF available
The eligibility of foreign nationals in the United States for federal public benefits is a topic of long-standing congressional and public interest. Various laws enacted over the past 45 years address...
Tracking Federal Grant Awards: A Brief Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-18 · Resources · 1,440 words · PDF available
This In Focus briefly discusses the primary government tool for tracking federal grant awards, USAspending.gov, as well as selected other federal grant award data sources. For background on USAspendin...
Enforcement of Court Orders Against the Executive Branch
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-18 · Posts · 3,127 words · PDF available
Months into the second Trump Administration, a number of executive branch policies have been challenged in court, and several federal district courts have enjoined enforcement of some of the challenge...
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations: FY2025 Provisions
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-18 · Reports · 11,993 words · PDF available
Through appropriations legislation, Congress provides not only budget authority for federal agencies and departments to operate, but also legally binding direction on how that budget authority can (or...
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-18 · Posts · 1,021 words · PDF available
Congress authorizes and funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to undertake civil works activities, including planning and construction of water resource projects and maintenance of navigation...
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Funding for FY2025: Considerations for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-18 · Posts · 1,222 words · PDF available
Since 1992, Congress has provided the Department of Defense (DOD) with annual appropriations explicitly for the conduct of medical research on congressionally identified topics. DOD administers these ...
Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-18 · Reports · 5,241 words · PDF available
Federal funding assistance to public transportation providers is provided primarily through the public transportation program administered by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Adminis...
Economic Development Reauthorization Act (EDRA) of 2024
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-17 · Reports · 22,936 words · PDF available
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and active federal regional commissions and authorities (FRCAs) administer numerous federal economic development programs that support workforce trai...
National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology: Final Report and Options for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-17 · Posts · 1,044 words · PDF available
Section 1091 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-81) established the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) as an independent commission in...
The Fluctuating Balance of the Crime Victims Fund
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-17 · Resources · 1,457 words · PDF available
The federal Crime Victims Fund (CVF; the Fund) supports various crime victim assistance and compensation programs and is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Cri...
Teen Births in the United States: Overview and Recent Trends
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-17 · Reports · 9,926 words · PDF available
Adolescent childbearing is associated with significant social, health, and financial risks for teens, their families, and society more broadly. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCH...
Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Recovery Funding
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Infographics · 600 words · PDF available
/ Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Recovery Funding In response to certain major disasters and emergencies, Congress occasionally provides disaster-specific supplemental funding fo...
Selected Issues in Tax Reform: Federal Subsidies for Municipal Bond Interest
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Resources · 1,692 words · PDF available
The federal tax code includes subsidies for interest income earned on state and local (municipal) bonds. Municipal governments issue bonds to investors to finance investments in exchange for interest ...
Selected Issues in Tax Reform: The Small Business Start-Up Deduction
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Resources · 1,714 words · PDF available
Businesses are typically allowed to deduct their start-up costs over a 15-year period. Businesses with low start-up costs are allowed an accelerated deduction for their start-up costs during the year ...
The Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy (STABLE) Act of 2025: An Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Posts · 1,022 words · PDF available
On April 2, 2025, the House Financial Services Committee ordered to be reported an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 2392, the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Led...
Golden Dome: Executive Order Overview and Issues for Congressional Consideration
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Posts · 1,066 words · PDF available
On January 27, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14186, titled The Iron Dome for America. The EO announced a shift in U.S. missile defense policy, expanding the scope of the homeland m...
Compensation for COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Reports · 10,185 words · PDF available
More than 260 million Americans, and billions of people worldwide, have received one or more doses of a vaccine to protect against COVID-19. Studies estimate that COVID-19 vaccinations have prevented ...
Competition and Antitrust Concerns Related to Generative AI
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Resources · 1,746 words · PDF available
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies used to generate synthetic content, such as text, images, audio, video, and computer code, are broadly referred to as generative AI (GenAI). One type of GenAI...
Congressional Votes on Free Trade Agreements and Trade Promotion Authority
Congressional Research Service · 2025-04-16 · Reports · 4,752 words · PDF available
Congress has sole constitutional authority to regulate international trade. Since 1934, Congress has periodically authorized the President to negotiate trade agreements. In some circumstances, congres...