The Biden Administration’s June 2024 Proclamation and Rule, Securing the Border
On June 3, 2024, President Biden—pursuant to statutory authorities under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(f), 8 U.S.C. § 1185(a), and 3 U.S.C. § 301—signed a proclamation, “Securing the Border” (Proclamation), that te...
Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Public Parks
Congress has established programs to assist constituents—including individuals, organizations, tribes, and local governments—with projects to establish or upgrade public parks and related outdoor recr...
Forest Service: FY2024 Appropriations
The Forest Service (FS) is responsible for managing 193 million acres of land in the National Forest System (NFS), conducting forestry research, and providing assistance to state, local, private, and ...
Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy of Electric Vehicles: In Brief
In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule (“Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy Calculation,” 89 Federal Register 22041, March 29, 2024) to revise its regulations for cal...
Political Status of Puerto Rico: Brief Background and Recent Developments for Congress
Puerto Rico lies approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Miami and 1,500 miles from Washington, DC. Despite being far outside the continental United States, the island has played a significant role in ...
Mexico’s 2024 Elections
On June 2, 2024, Mexico, a top U.S. trade and strategic partner, convened elections for federal, state, and local offices, including the presidency, both chambers of congress, and nine governorships. ...
Section 1071: Small Business Lending Data Collection and Reporting
Small businesses are owned by and employ a wide variety of entrepreneurs—skilled trade technicians, farmers, medical professionals, financial consultants, technology innovators, and restauranteurs, am...
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): Drought and Wildfire Assistance
Many producers raising livestock, such as beef or dairy cattle, depend on forage for grazing. Forage types include native and improved grasses, mixed forage, forage sorghum, and small grains (e.g., ba...
The Social Security Trust Funds in 2024 and Beyond
Social Security, Income Security, Social Insurance, Retirement, Retirement Security, OASI, OASDI, Trust Funds
Sources of Federal Funding for Health Care Facilities: Frequently Asked Questions
Health facilities, including hospitals, may face a number of financial challenges. In recent years, some hospitals have reported that financial issues have contributed to closures or reductions in ser...
Executive Order 14035 Implementation: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workforce
On June 25, 2021, President Joe Biden issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14035 on “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility [DEIA] in the Federal Workforce,” which mandates that the federal governme...