The Committee Markup Process in the House of Representatives
The purpose of a committee markup is to determine whether a bill or draft bill should be recommended to the full House and, if so, in what form. At the beginning of a markup, committee members often m...
Letters of Marque and Reprisal (Part 1): Introduction and Historical Context
Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution authorizes Congress to “grant letters of Marque and Reprisal[,]” which are instruments that permit private citizens to seize enemy vessels and their...
Letters of Marque and Reprisal (Part 2): Drafting History and U.S. Practice
Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution authorizes Congress to “grant letters of Marque and Reprisal[,]” which are instruments that permit private citizens to seize enemy vessels and their...
India’s Domestic Political Setting
Overview
India, the world’s most populous country, is, according to its Constitution, a “sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic” where the bulk of executive power rests with the prime mini...
The Impoundment Control Act of 1974: Background and Congressional Consideration of Rescissions
Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress exercises the “power of the purse.” This power is expressed through the application of several provisions, particularly Article I, Section 9, clause 7, which stat...
Medicaid’s Institution for Mental Diseases (IMD) Exclusion
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that finances the delivery of primary and acute medical services, as well as long-term services and supports, for a diverse low-income population, including c...
The Evolution of P.L. 86-272’s State Income Tax Immunity for Income Derived from Interstate Commerce
Enacted in 1959, P.L. 86-272, 73 Stat. 555 (codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 381-384), limits the power of states to impose a net income tax on out-of-state sellers who have limited business activities within...
Understanding Federal Agency Grant Disbursement, Payment Processes, and “Freezes”
This In Focus describes how federal agencies administer grant program funding, including the statutory authorities, regulatory provisions, and grant program guidance that informs the grant payment dis...
The Economic Impact of Russia Sanctions
In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine starting in February 2022, a broad, multilateral coalition, including the United States, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, Canada, Aus...
Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases: Background and Recent Developments
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14154, “Unleashing American Energy.” This order includes several directives to agencies regarding the use of the social cost of green...
Adult Protective Services: Background and Funding
Background
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories provide Adult Protective Services (APS) to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults. APS programs serve seniors ...