Policy Library

7,020 documents

Application of the Bill of Rights to the States Through the Fourteenth Amendment and Selective Incorporation
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-31 · Posts · 1,789 words · PDF available
The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protects certain rights against infringement by the federal government. A recurring question throughout U.S. history i...
Health Claims on Food and Dietary Supplement Labels: FDA Regulation and Select Legal Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-31 · Resources · 1,883 words · PDF available
A food or dietary supplement manufacturer may seek to market a product through a statement on its product’s label that suggests a link between a nutrient in that product and a disease or health-relate...
FLSA Exemptions and Burdens of Proof: E.M.D. Sales, Inc. v. Carrera
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-31 · Posts · 1,517 words · PDF available
On November 5, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral argument in E.M.D. Sales, Inc. v. Carrera, a case involving an employer’s burden of proof when it asserts that an employee is exem...
Defense Primer: Gold Star Designation
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-31 · Resources · 1,847 words · PDF available
Background During the years of U.S. participation in World War I (WWI, 1917-1918), a service banner with a blue star was flown by some families to represent each family member in military service. The...
Paraguay: An Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-31 · Resources · 1,734 words · PDF available
Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America bordered by Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The United States has had good relations with Paraguay for decades, providing assistance to counter corrup...
Veteran Disability Compensation and Pension Exams
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-30 · Resources · 1,427 words · PDF available
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of benefits and programs for veterans and their families. VBA administers monetary benef...
Unemployment Benefits for Workers Impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-30 · Resources · 1,529 words · PDF available
Workers who become unemployed for reasons directly attributable to a major disaster, such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, may be eligible for income support based on their work history throug...
Private Equity Investments in Large For-Profit Child Care Organizations: In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-30 · Reports · 6,987 words · PDF available
Child care, private equity
Election 2024: Recent Court Rulings on Voting and Counting Ballots
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-30 · Posts · 2,248 words · PDF available
Recent court rulings in various states have determined key issues relating to the voting process and the counting of ballots for the 2024 congressional and presidential elections. This Sidebar provide...
Election and Voting Law: Resources for Congressional Staff
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-30 · Reports · 2,935 words · PDF available
This report is intended to serve as a starting point for congressional staff covering voting and elections. It focuses on resources related to laws governing federal elections and voting. It outlines ...
The Exceptions Clause and Congressional Control over Supreme Court Jurisdiction
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-30 · Reports · 11,213 words · PDF available
Article III, Section 2, Clause 1, of the Constitution grants the federal courts jurisdiction to consider certain types of “Cases” and “Controversies,” defined based on the legal issues presented or th...
Central American Migration: Root Causes and U.S. Policy
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-30 · Resources · 1,501 words
U.S. policy toward Central America has been a subject of significant debate and oversight over the past decade as Congress has sought to address the underlying factors driving migration from the regio...
Stealing Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage: An Abridged Overview of the Economic Espionage Act
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-29 · Reports · 3,790 words · PDF available
Stealing a trade secret is a federal crime when the information relates to a product in interstate or foreign commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 1832 (theft of trade secrets), or when the intended beneficiary is a...
Escalation of the Israel-Iran Conflict
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-29 · Posts · 1,259 words · PDF available
Overview In October 2024, Iran and Israel exchanged attacks for the second time this year (see Figure 1 and Figure 2), after doing so in April. This resumption of direct conflict comes a year after Ha...
Stealing Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage: An Overview of the Economic Espionage Act
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-29 · Reports · 10,124 words · PDF available
Stealing a trade secret is a federal crime when the information relates to a product in interstate or foreign commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 1832 (theft of trade secrets), or when the intended beneficiary is a...
Fewer freshmen enrolled in college this year following troubling FAFSA cycle
Brookings Institution · 2024-10-28 · Article · 1,993 words · PDF available
Katharine Meyer examines how the fumbled FAFSA rollout contributed to lower freshman enrollment and considers broader enrollment trends.
Border Carbon Adjustments: Policy Considerations, Legislation, and Developments in the European Union
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-28 · Reports · 18,672 words · PDF available
Policymakers may consider a wide array of options to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including emissions caps, fees, or performance standards. Although these approaches would likely limit or re...
United States Bankruptcy Courts: Overview and Analysis of Bankruptcy Filings for the 12-Month Period Ending June 30, 2024
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-28 · Posts · 1,030 words · PDF available
This Insight provides information and statistics related to bankruptcy filings in the United States bankruptcy courts for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2024 (this is the most recent reporting pe...
Presidential Drawdown Authority and Ukraine Security Assistance: Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-28 · Posts · 966 words · PDF available
Presidential drawdown authority (PDA) refers to the authority of the President to direct the immediate drawdown (i.e., transfer from U.S. stocks) of defense articles and services in response to an “un...
Entrepreneurship in Regional Economic Development
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-28 · Reports · 13,153 words · PDF available
Entrepreneurship generally refers to “an action, process, or activity that involves the startup and growth of a new enterprise.” While the umbrella of what may be considered entrepreneurship is large,...
Paris Agreement: Nationally Determined Contributions Conditional on International Support—In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-28 · Reports · 3,394 words · PDF available
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been the principal multilateral treaty for cooperation among nations on greenhouse gas (GHG)-induced climate change since its ado...
Federal Civilian Workforce Characteristics
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-28 · Infographics · 327 words · PDF available
/ Federal Civilian Workforce Characteristics The federal civilian workforce refers to the non-elected and non-military employees of the government. The President executes and enforces the laws passed ...
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Federal Agency Rulemaking
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-28 · Resources · 1,720 words · PDF available
Since the 1970s, federal agencies have been required to consider the costs and benefits of certain regulations that are expected to have large economic effects. Under current requirements, most agenci...
North Dakota v. United States: Litigating the FTCA’s Discretionary Function Exception
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-25 · Posts · 3,083 words · PDF available
In July 2019, North Dakota filed suit against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). North Dakota claims damages stemming from the alleged failure of the U.S. Army Corps of Engine...
Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah: Conflict and Escalation
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-25 · Resources · 1,786 words · PDF available
A day after Hamas (a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, or FTO) led October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel that began their ongoing war, Lebanese Hezbollah (another FTO) started shooting...
How Can Anchor Institutions Affect Economic Development?
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-25 · Resources · 1,431 words · PDF available
In many urban locations, so-called anchor institutions—primarily entities such as hospitals and other medical centers, colleges and universities, cultural organizations, large nonprofits, and, in some...
Novel Gene Therapies for Blood Disorders
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-25 · Resources · 1,506 words · PDF available
During the past few years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved gene therapy products designed to treat blood disorders. Gene therapy works by modifying a person’s genes to treat o...
Defense Primer: Categories of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-25 · Resources · 1,635 words · PDF available
Background The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) develops, acquires, and fields uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS, commonly known as drones) of varying sizes and capabilities. DOD has organized uncrewed—D...
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Fact Sheet
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-25 · Reports · 940 words · PDF available
This fact sheet provides authoritative information resources related to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to National Dis...
The paradox between the macroeconomy and household sentiment
Brookings Institution · 2024-10-24 · Article · 6,126 words · PDF available
Despite indications of a strong economy by traditional metrics, consumer sentiment continues to have a negative view.
A Corporation’s Obligation to Redeem Shares Is Not Necessarily a Liability That Reduces the Corporation’s Value for Estate Tax Purposes
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-24 · Posts · 2,251 words · PDF available
On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously held in Connelly v. United States that a family-owned corporation’s contractual obligation to purchase, or “redeem,” a deceased owner’s shares (redemptio...
What Is Affirmative Asylum?
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-24 · Reports · 6,335 words · PDF available
Foreign nationals in the United States who are not in removal proceedings may apply to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for affirmat...
Corner Post and the Statute of Limitations for Administrative Procedure Act Claims
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-24 · Posts · 3,222 words · PDF available
On July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Corner Post, Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, addressing when a plaintiff may bring a facial challenge to a final age...
Legislative Proposals to Change the Geographic Boundaries of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: Historical Overview and Analysis
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-24 · Reports · 12,429 words · PDF available
This report provides a historical overview and analysis of legislative proposals and other congressional actions related to geographically dividing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into...
The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-24 · Reports · 9,302 words · PDF available
Farming and ranching are inherently risky. Some of the risks (e.g., production loss or quality damage) can come from natural disasters, such as drought and flooding. Producers affected by a natural di...
Pop Quiz: What Are Your Children Being Taught? The Answer May Surprise You
Heritage Foundation · 2024-10-23 · Commentary · 955 words
COMMENTARY BYLindsey M. Burke, PhD@lindseymburkeDirector, Center for Education PolicyLindsey Burke researches and writes on federal and state education issues.FatCamera/Getty ImagesKey TakeawaysIt mat...
Wisconsin Public Schools’ Gender Policies Shut Out Parents, Violate Their Rights
Heritage Foundation · 2024-10-23 · Commentary · 953 words
MaskaRad/Getty ImagesKey TakeawaysSchools are generally in charge of matters such as curriculum or school administration.Whether a child imagines himself as a girl (which may change tomorrow as well) ...
Hamas: Background, Current Status, and U.S. Policy
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Resources · 1,816 words · PDF available
Hamas (or the Islamic Resistance Movement) is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist military and sociopolitical movement, and a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Hamas’s primary base of act...
Clash of the Tech Titans
Third Way · 2024-10-23 · Report · 3,913 words
Third Way is a center-left think tank that champions modern solutions to the most challenging problems in US public policy, including the economy, climate and energy, national security, social policy,...
U.S. Secret Service: Threats to and Assaults on Sitting Presidents and Vice Presidents
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Resources · 1,136 words · PDF available
Overview USSS has two mandated missions: (1) criminal investigations, and (2) protection of persons and facilities. Criminal investigations focus primarily on financial crimes, whereas protection focu...
Department of Defense Supplemental Funding for Ukraine: A Summary
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Posts · 1,698 words · PDF available
To date, Congress has appropriated $174.2 billion in emergency supplemental funding in response to Russia’s 2022 renewed invasion of Ukraine. Of this amount, $110.7 billion (64%) was provided for the ...
Congressional Direction of Military Infrastructure Funding
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Resources · 1,648 words · PDF available
Congress has a variety of legislative and budgetary options for directing U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) infrastructure spending. During the past 10 years, Congress has used statutory provisions to ...
The 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Resources · 1,533 words · PDF available
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-63) was signed into law on May 16, 2024. The act provides key civil aviation authorizations, including Airport and Airwa...
Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program: In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Reports · 4,504 words · PDF available
The Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) develops and issues standards for states’ testing and licensing of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers...
Is U.S. Entrepreneurship Declining?
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Resources · 948 words · PDF available
Researchers note that “entrepreneurship has typically been defined as an action, process, or activity that involves the startup and growth of a new enterprise.” Much research and data over the past tw...
The Role of Business Incubators and Accelerators in Entrepreneurship Support
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-23 · Resources · 1,607 words · PDF available
Business incubators and accelerators are entrepreneurship support programs designed to help startup businesses develop and grow. Incubators and accelerators are operated by a variety of entities, incl...
The Congressional Review Act: Determining Which “Rules” Must Be Submitted to Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-22 · Reports · 29,251 words · PDF available
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) is a tool Congress can use to review federal agency actions that fall under the statutory category of “rules.” The CRA requires that agencies report their rules to C...
Selected Issues in Tax Policy: The Mortgage Interest Deduction
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-22 · Resources · 1,672 words · PDF available
The mortgage interest deduction is of interest to policymakers due to its association with homeownership. The mortgage interest deduction is also of interest because it is one of the largest tax benef...
Diplomatic Security, Embassy Construction, and the Role of Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-22 · Resources · 1,548 words · PDF available
As the executive branch’s lead foreign affairs agency, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) plans, constructs, and manages U.S. embassies, consulates, and other overseas posts and provides for the secur...
Offshore Wind Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act
Congressional Research Service · 2024-10-22 · Posts · 1,037 words · PDF available
P.L. 117-169, commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), addressed U.S. offshore wind development with provisions on leasing, transmission planning, and tax credits. Congress and the...