Policy Library

7,020 documents

Defense Primer: Military Installations Management
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-13 · Resources · 1,226 words · PDF available
The Department of Defense (DOD) and the three military departments—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—maintain distinctive organizational structures, policies, and programs for managing their installations...
Reference Table: Expiring Provisions in the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (TCJA, P.L. 115-97)
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-13 · Reports · 6,363 words · PDF available
SUMMARY SUPRESSED...JUST FOR SEARCH A variety of temporary changes enacted as part of P.L. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), are scheduled to expire. Many TCJA provisi...
Social Security: Beneficiaries Affected by Both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-13 · Reports · 5,633 words · PDF available
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) are two separate provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for workers and/or their eligible family members if th...
How the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (TCJA, P.L. 115-97) Changed Cost Recovery and the Tax Credit for Research
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-12 · Resources · 1,727 words · PDF available
Tax benefits for investments in research and development are of long-standing interest to Congress and the business community. The 2017 tax cut, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (P.L....
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contracts
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-12 · Resources · 0 words · PDF available
The federal government has multiple contracting methods for use in procuring goods and services, one of which is called an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Federal Acquisi...
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): Its Potential Role in Climate Change Mitigation
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-12 · Reports · 11,242 words · PDF available
Rising global temperatures are associated with increasingly frequent and intense climate change impacts. Scientific consensus finds that stabilizing global temperatures is necessary to avoid increased...
SBA COVID-19 EIDL Financial Relief: Policy Options and Considerations
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-12 · Reports · 12,843 words · PDF available
Congress took several actions to provide financial relief to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including passing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Econom...
How Taiwan can—and often does—help itself
Brookings Institution · 2024-11-08 · Article · 1,683 words
Taiwan’s economy is one reason for Beijing to eschew war, the security partnership with the United States is another.
Federal Support for Organ Transplantation: Frequently Asked Questions
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-08 · Reports · 15,019 words · PDF available
Organ transplantation is a complex medical procedure, often requiring coordination among multiple entities, medical teams, and medical facilities. It is also unique in that it requires the use of an o...
Iran’s Petroleum Exports to China and U.S. Sanctions
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-08 · Posts · 1,069 words · PDF available
Many Members in the 118th Congress remain concerned with Iran’s ability to raise revenue by selling petroleum, which has been a long-term target of U.S. sanctions. Iran’s petroleum exports reportedly ...
Defense Primer: The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (OUSD(P))
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-07 · Resources · 1,390 words · PDF available
Background Congress established the position of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD-P) in 1978 (P.L. 95-140) and has expanded its role several times through legislation. The current Office ...
Alternative Data in Financial Services
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-07 · Resources · 1,546 words · PDF available
Alternative data generally refers to information used to determine a consumer’s creditworthiness that the national consumer reporting agencies (CRAs)—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—have not traditi...
The Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-07 · Resources · 1,903 words · PDF available
P.L. 117-169, commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), enacted a new tax credit for the production of component parts and critical minerals used in clean energy equipment. The cred...
Simplifying FEMA’s Assistance Programs: Selected Actions Taken and Potential Future Considerations
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-07 · Resources · 1,284 words · PDF available
Some Members of Congress, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) offices of emergency management, nonprofits, disaster survivors, nonpartisan think-tanks, and the Government Accountability Offic...
Status of FY2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations: In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-07 · Reports · 4,390 words · PDF available
This report provides a brief summary of the status of FY2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) appropriations as of the cover date of this report. It also provides background on t...
The Pacific Islands: Background and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-07 · Resources · 1,553 words · PDF available
Overview The Pacific Islands region encompasses 14 Pacific Island countries (PICs), the U.S. state of Hawaii, and several U.S. territories, and spans nearly 15% of the Earth’s surface. Successive U.S....
Federal Pell Grant Program of the Higher Education Act: Primer
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-06 · Reports · 18,578 words · PDF available
The federal Pell Grant program, authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA; P.L. 89-329), is the single largest source of federal grant aid supporting postsecondary ed...
Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Firefighters and Fire Departments
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-06 · Resources · 818 words · PDF available
This In Focus includes a list of selected federal agencies and programs that may support fire departments seeking funding for a variety of activities, including, but not limited to, equipment acquisit...
The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA)
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-06 · Resources · 1,697 words · PDF available
The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), enacted in 1980, establishes uniform procedures for federal courts to determine the admissibility and manage the admission of classified information a...
The Biden Administration’s Revised Proclamation and Final Rule, “Securing the Border”
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-06 · Posts · 1,050 words · PDF available
On September 27, 2024, President Biden issued an updated proclamation to amend the June Proclamation that temporarily suspends and limits the entry of certain migrants at the Southwest land border (S...
National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities: FY2024 Appropriations
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-06 · Reports · 2,308 words · PDF available
The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities is the primary vehicle for federal support for the arts and the humanities. Established in 1965, the foundation currently consists of three agenc...
Supreme Court Rules That There Is No Constitutional Right to Having an Alien Spouse Admitted to the United States
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-05 · Posts · 2,827 words · PDF available
On June 21, 2024, the Supreme Court in Department of State v. Muñoz rejected a U.S. citizen’s legal challenge to the denial of her alien husband’s application for a visa to enter the United States. Un...
Education Stabilization Fund: Expenditures for Elementary and Secondary Education
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-05 · Reports · 15,904 words · PDF available
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted several programs that provided federal funds specifically to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus in elementary and secondary educati...
FEMA Individual Assistance Grants for Disaster Survivors: Summary of Data and Analysis
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-05 · Reports · 25,843 words · PDF available
Some Members of Congress express interest in knowing how much financial assistance the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides to disaster survivors through the Individual Assistance (IA) ...
Georgia: Incumbent Georgian Dream Claims Victory in Disputed Parliamentary Elections
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-05 · Posts · 1,044 words
Georgia, a country in the Black Sea region that borders Russia and Turkey, held parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024. Georgia’s governing party, Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GD), claimed ...
Congressional Court Watcher: Circuit Splits from October 2024
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Posts · 966 words · PDF available
The U.S. Courts of Appeals for the thirteen “circuits” issue thousands of precedential decisions each year. Because relatively few of these decisions are ultimately reviewed by the Supreme Court, the ...
Permanent Legal Immigration to the United States: Policy Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Reports · 11,978 words · PDF available
Four major principles underlie current U.S. legal permanent immigration policy: allowing families to reunify, admitting needed skilled workers, providing humanitarian protection, and fostering geograp...
The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP): Overview and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Reports · 8,879 words · PDF available
The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) aims to understand earthquake hazards and reduce earthquake risks in the United States. Portions of all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories...
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education: FY2024 Appropriations
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Reports · 35,398 words · PDF available
This report offers an overview of the FY2024 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill. This bill includes all accounts funded thr...
Pensions and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): Investment Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Reports · 19,268 words · PDF available
Employer-sponsored pensions and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are important sources of income security in retirement for many American households. Recent congressional interest in retirement p...
Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Resources · 1,576 words · PDF available
Both the 2022 National Defense Strategy and senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials have identified a number of emerging technologies that could have a disruptive impact on U.S. national securi...
Reinstatement of Removal Orders: An Introduction
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Resources · 1,883 words · PDF available
Federal immigration laws establish removal processes for different categories of aliens who do not meet requirements governing their entry or continued presence in the United States. Many removable al...
Defense Primer: Quantum Technology
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Resources · 1,619 words · PDF available
Quantum technology translates the principles of quantum physics into technological applications. In general, quantum technology has not yet reached maturity; however, it could hold significant implica...
Defense Primer: Directed-Energy Weapons
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Resources · 1,549 words · PDF available
Both the 2022 National Defense Strategy and the House Armed Services Committee’s bipartisan Future of Defense Task Force Report have identified directed energy as a technology that could have a signif...
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Resources · 1,489 words · PDF available
Following an incident, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may assist individuals with their recovery through the Individual Assistance (IA) program if the President authorizes such assista...
Disaster Survivor FAQ: FEMA Individuals and Households Program
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Reports · 5,100 words · PDF available
Member offices frequently have questions about the recovery process when working to support constituents following a presidential declaration of emergency or major disaster under the Robert T. Staffor...
Defense Implications of Challenges at Boeing
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Posts · 1,036 words · PDF available
The Boeing Company (Boeing), a supplier of equipment and services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), has since 2018 faced challenges including labor actions, production delays, quality control p...
Bangladesh
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Resources · 1,561 words · PDF available
Bangladesh (East Pakistan until 1971) is a Muslim-majority South Asian nation bordering India and Burma (Myanmar) on the Bay of Bengal. The world’s eighth most populous country, with approximately 169...
Veterans Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Reports · 1,044 words · PDF available
This fact sheet is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to Veterans Day. It contains a brief history, CRS reports, selected speeches and recognitions, presidential proclamations,...
FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Households: Application Processes, Determinations, and Appeals
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-04 · Reports · 9,244 words · PDF available
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Disaster Loan Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Individual Assistance (IA)-Individuals and Households Program (IHP) are the fed...
The 2024 presidential candidate tracker
Brookings Institution · 2024-11-01 · Article · 473 words
From social media to media mentions to finances, the 2024 Presidential Candidate Tracker tracks three measures to gauge public interest in candidates.
U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council: Background and Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-01 · Resources · 1,715 words · PDF available
The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is a high-level forum between the United States and European Union (EU) that aims to enhance cooperation on global technology, economic, and trade issues...
Native American Heritage Month: Fact Sheet
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-01 · Reports · 700 words · PDF available
Native American Heritage Month (also known as National American Indian Heritage Month) celebrates the contributions and achievements of Native Americans. November was first designated as National Ame...
Election Day: Frequently Asked Questions
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-01 · Reports · 2,222 words · PDF available
Election Day is the day legally established to select public officials in the United States. General elections for federal offices—President, Vice President, and U.S. Congress—are held on the Tuesday ...
Connecting Grantseekers with Federal Assistance for Storm Shelters and Safe Rooms
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-01 · Resources · 1,397 words · PDF available
This In Focus describes selected federal assistance programs available to state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; and property owners interested in bui...
Defense Primer: United States Military Aviation
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-01 · Resources · 1,456 words · PDF available
Background Military aircraft provide the United States a range of military capabilities, including deterrence against attack, power projection, situational awareness, air defense, and logistical suppo...
Federal Student Loan Program Models
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-01 · Resources · 1,609 words · PDF available
The federal government has played a central role in facilitating the making of loans to finance students’ postsecondary education since at least 1958. The program models used to provide federal studen...
Armed Career Criminal Act (18 U.S.C. § 924(e)): An Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2024-11-01 · Reports · 7,839 words · PDF available
The Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 U.S.C. § 924(e), requires imposition of a mandatory minimum 15-year term of imprisonment for recidivists convicted of prohibited possession of a firearm under ...
Student Loan Debt Relief: The Biden Administration’s Second Proposed Rule
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-31 · Posts · 987 words · PDF available
On October 31, 2024, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona (the Secretary) published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) describing when the Secretary may waive all or part ...
Overpayments in the Social Security Administration’s Programs: In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-31 · Reports · 6,683 words · PDF available
The Social Security Administration (SSA) mainly administers two programs—Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), commonly known as Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)...