Policy Library

6,587 documents

The Trump Administration’s “Zero Tolerance” Immigration Enforcement Policy
Congressional Research Service · 2021-02-02 · Reports · 17,218 words · PDF available
For the last decade, Central American migrant families have arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in relatively large numbers, many seeking asylum. While some request asylum at U.S. ports of entry, others...
Child and Dependent Care Tax Benefits: How They Work and Who Receives Them
Congressional Research Service · 2021-02-01 · Reports · 11,072 words · PDF available
Two tax provisions subsidize the child and dependent care expenses of working parents: the child and dependent care tax credit (CDCTC) and the exclusion for employer-sponsored child and dependent care...
Court Rules Dakota Access Pipeline Needs Further Environmental Review
Congressional Research Service · 2021-02-01 · Posts · 1,814 words · PDF available
UPDATE: On January 26 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EI...
Fiscal Policy and Recovery from the COVID19 Recession
Congressional Research Service · 2021-02-01 · Reports · 12,757 words · PDF available
The economic contraction that began in February 2020 differs from previous contractions, including the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Great Recession of 2007-2009. It was caused in large part b...
Resolutions to Censure the President: Procedure and History
Congressional Research Service · 2021-02-01 · Reports · 10,162 words · PDF available
Censure is a reprimand adopted by one or both chambers of Congress against a Member of Congress, President, federal judge, or other government official. While Member censure is a disciplinary measure ...
Farm Service Agency Committees: In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-29 · Reports · 1,730 words · PDF available
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) relies heavily on state and local officials to administer Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs. These officials include State Executive Directors and s...
Possible U.S. Return to Iran Nuclear Agreement: Frequently Asked Questions
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-29 · Reports · 10,685 words · PDF available
President Joseph Biden and members of his Administration have expressed an intention to reverse various Trump Administration policies toward Iran, particularly the Trump Administration’s decision to e...
State Innovation Waivers: Frequently Asked Questions
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-29 · Reports · 10,550 words · PDF available
Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended) provides states with the option to waive specified requirements of the ACA. In the absence of these requi...
Vaccine Safety in the United States: Overview and Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccines
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-29 · Reports · 22,767 words · PDF available
Widespread immunization efforts have been linked to increased life expectancy and reduced illness. U.S. vaccination programs, headed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the ...
Proposals for a COVID-19 Congressional Advisory Commission in the 116th Congress: A Comparative Analysis
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-28 · Reports · 13,966 words · PDF available
Throughout U.S. history, Congress has created advisory commissions to assist in the development of public policy. Among other contexts, commissions have been used following crisis situations, includin...
The Senior Executive Service: An Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-28 · Resources · 1,473 words · PDF available
The Senior Executive Service (SES) was established by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-454) to provide a government-wide cadre of high-level managers within federal agencies. The SES comp...
Federal Universal Service Fund and Other Selected Federal Broadband Programs: A Primer
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-28 · Resources · 1,406 words · PDF available
Introduction Efforts to deploy voice telephone service throughout the United States began almost 100 years ago. Starting in the 1990s, these efforts shifted toward the deployment of broadband internet...
The Biden Administration Extends the Pause on Federal Student Loan Payments: Legal Considerations for Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-27 · Posts · 1,913 words · PDF available
Last year, both the Trump Administration and the 116th Congress granted temporary relief to certain student loan borrowers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the first day of his presidency, Pre...
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Institutions of Higher Education: Contemporary Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-27 · Reports · 12,937 words · PDF available
There have been numerous reports of institutions of higher education (IHEs) experiencing financial hardships as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This report discusses and ...
Is Mandatory Detention of Unlawful Entrants Seeking Asylum Constitutional?
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-27 · Posts · 2,327 words · PDF available
Non-U.S. nationals (aliens) apprehended by immigration authorities when attempting to unlawfully enter the United States are generally subject to a streamlined, expedited removal process, but may be p...
The Budget Reconciliation Process: Stages of Consideration
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-25 · Reports · 5,977 words · PDF available
The purpose of the reconciliation process is to enhance Congress’s ability to bring existing spending, revenue, and debt limit laws into compliance with current fiscal priorities and goals established...
Casework in Congressional Offices: Frequently Asked Questions
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-25 · Reports · 3,761 words · PDF available
Constituents often contact a congressional office looking for assistance; the work congressional offices do in response to these requests is generally referred to as casework. Members of Congress dete...
Capitol Unrest, Legislative Response, and the Bill of Attainder Clause
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-22 · Posts · 3,098 words · PDF available
On January 6, 2021, a crowd gathered on the U.S. Capitol grounds, breached police barriers, entered and occupied portions of the Capitol building, and clashed with law enforcement. The incident result...
Fiscal Policy: Economic Effects
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-21 · Reports · 5,821 words · PDF available
Fiscal policy describes changes to government spending and revenue behavior in an effort to influence the economy. By adjusting its level of spending and tax revenue, the government can affect economi...
The Federal Communications Commission in the Biden Administration: Issues and New Directions
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-21 · Resources · 1,547 words · PDF available
Introduction The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the new Biden Administration may take different positions on several key topics than the FCC under the Trump Administration, including Secti...
Changes to House Rules Affecting the Congressional Budget Process Included in H.Res. 8 (117th Congress)
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-21 · Reports · 1,847 words · PDF available
At the beginning of each Congress, the House of Representatives adopts rules to govern its proceedings. Traditionally, the House does this by readopting the rules of the previous Congress along with c...
Capital Gains Tax Options: Behavioral Responses and Revenues
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-19 · Reports · 11,848 words · PDF available
Compared with most other tax provisions, the potential revenue gain scored for an increase in capital gains taxes is strongly affected by behavioral responses assumed by the Joint Committee on Taxatio...
The Impeachment and Trial of a Former President
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-15 · Posts · 3,022 words · PDF available
For the second time in just over a year, the House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump. The House previously voted to impeach President Trump on December 18, 2019, and th...
Withdrawal of Federal Lands: Analysis of a Common Legislated Withdrawal Provision
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-15 · Reports · 11,916 words · PDF available
Lands and interest in lands owned by the United States (i.e., federal lands) have been withdrawn from agency management under various public land laws. Federal land withdrawals typically seek to precl...
U.S.-China Investment Ties: Overview
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-15 · Resources · 1,641 words · PDF available
Background Investment is playing a growing role in U.S. commercial ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China). For many years, the PRC government invested much of its foreign exchange res...
Aviation Security Measures and Domestic Terrorism Threats
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-15 · Resources · 1,817 words · PDF available
After the January 6, 2021, security breach of the United States Capitol, some Members of Congress have advocated restricting the air travel of individuals who may seek to incite or carry out further v...
An Overview of Consumer Finance and Policy Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-14 · Reports · 19,178 words · PDF available
Consumer finance refers to the saving, borrowing, and investment choices that households make over time. These financial decisions can be complex and can affect households’ financial well-being both n...
Export Controls: Key Challenges
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-14 · Resources · 1,607 words · PDF available
Overview Congress has authorized the President to control the export of various items for national security, foreign policy, and economic reasons. Separate programs and statutes exist for controlling ...
The Tax Treatment of Canceled Mortgage Debt
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-14 · Resources · 1,432 words · PDF available
Historically, if a lender forgives or cancels mortgage debt (and most other debts), tax law has treated the amount of canceled debt as a cancellation of debt income (CODI) subject to ordinary income t...
The U.S. Income Distribution: Trends and Issues
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-13 · Reports · 25,892 words · PDF available
Income inequality—that is, the extent to which individuals’ or households’ incomes differ—has increased in the United States since the 1970s. Rising income inequality over this time period is driven l...
Safeguards: Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-13 · Resources · 1,527 words · PDF available
On January 23, 2018, President Trump proclaimed a four-year safeguard measure on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (CSPV) cells and modules, and a three-year safeguard on large...
A Brief Comparison of Two Climate Change Mitigation Approaches: Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Tax (or Fee)
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-12 · Resources · 1,644 words · PDF available
Almost all climate scientists agree that greenhouse gas (GHG) emission increases have contributed to observed climate change and that continued increases in GHG emissions will contribute to future cli...
The Senate Powersharing Agreement of the 107th Congress (2001-2003): Key Features
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-11 · Reports · 2,454 words
The 2000 elections resulted in a Senate composed of 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats. A historic agreement, worked out by the party floor leaders, in consultation with their party colleagues, was prese...
The Social Security Administration’s Death Data: In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-11 · Reports · 10,032 words · PDF available
The Social Security Administration (SSA) acquires and maintains death data to administer the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, including preventing the improper payment ...
Unemployment Insurance Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division N, Title II, Subtitle A, the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020)
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-11 · Resources · 1,517 words · PDF available
The Unemployment Insurance (UI) provisions contained in Division N, Title II, Subtitle A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260, enacted December 27, 2020) are titled the Continued...
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Infrastructure Programs and FY2021 Appropriations
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-11 · Resources · 1,581 words · PDF available
The condition of the nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, the federal role in supporting infrastructure improvements, and the financial challenges many communities encounter regardin...
Medicare Advantage (MA) Coverage of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and Network Requirement Changes
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-11 · Reports · 17,336 words · PDF available
Starting in calendar year (CY) 2021, all Medicare beneficiaries with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are allowed to enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. MA plans are an alternative to original Medi...
National Special Security Events: Fact Sheet
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-11 · Reports · 1,144 words · PDF available
The President—or his representative, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security—may designate major federal government or public events that are considered nationally significant as National...
Housing Issues in the 116th Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-08 · Reports · 27,743 words · PDF available
With the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 and the resulting economic recession, pandemic relief and response dominated the housing policy considerations of th...
Major Agricultural Trade Issues in the 117th Congress
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-08 · Reports · 25,751 words · PDF available
Sales of U.S. agricultural products to foreign markets absorb about one-fifth of U.S. agricultural production, contributing significantly to the health of the farm economy. Farm product exports, which...
U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Shipping and Shipbuilding Support Programs
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-08 · Reports · 8,865 words · PDF available
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) is one of the 11 operating administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Its mission is to develop the merchant maritime industry of the Unit...
Protection of Federal Government Officials
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-08 · Resources · 1,145 words · PDF available
Overview In the aftermath of the breach of the U.S. Capitol security on January 6, 2021—while a joint session of Congress was counting and certifying the 2020 presidential election electoral votes—an...
The Employee Retention and Employee Retention and Rehiring Tax Credits
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-07 · Resources · 1,535 words · PDF available
The March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) included an employee retention tax credit designed to help businesses retain employees during the Coronavirus D...
Treasury and Federal Reserve Financial Assistance in Title IV of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136)
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-06 · Reports · 14,821 words · PDF available
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) was enacted to assist those affected by the economic impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This assistance is ...
The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC): In Brief
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-05 · Reports · 3,546 words · PDF available
The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) subsidizes most of the cost of qualified health insurance for eligible taxpayers and their family members. Potential eligibility for the HCTC is limited to two gr...
Water Resources Development Act of 2020
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-05 · Resources · 1,625 words · PDF available
Congress commonly titles omnibus legislation that authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works activities as a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Since WRDA 1986, Congress often ha...
The COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020 and Other COVID-Related Tax Provisions in P.L. 116-260
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-05 · Reports · 4,666 words · PDF available
The COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020 was enacted as Subtitle B to Title II of Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. P.L. 116-123 P.L. 116-127 P.L. 116-136 P.L. 116-139H.R. 8406 ...
China’s 14th Five-Year Plan: A First Look
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-05 · Resources · 1,780 words · PDF available
The Communist Party of China (CPC)’s 19th Central Committee—a body of China’s 376 top Party officials—held its 5th Plenum in late October 2020 to deliberate on China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for 20...
Fire and Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-05 · Resources · 1,344 words · PDF available
Fires in the Brazilian Amazon forest have received widespread media attention in recent years and have raised congressional concern. This is due to an increase in fire events and deforestation rates i...
Climate Change Risk Mitigation by U.S. Foreign Assistance Agencies
Congressional Research Service · 2021-01-05 · Reports · 6,041 words · PDF available
Many in Congress have a keen interest in climate change, and determining how best to address that issue is a source of continuing discussion. Gaining increased attention in such discussions are federa...