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- Religious [Intolerance] in Indonesia
- This report discusses the increasing religious intolerance in Indonesia. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, and it has long been known for its moderate interpretations of Islam. The text outlines background, information about Muslim groups, foreign influence, religious schools, government actions, and responses by Indonesia and the U.S.
- SBA Veterans Assistance Programs: An Analysis of Contemporary Issues
- This report provides an overview of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs to provide training and other assistants to veterans seeking civilian employment. It includes sections discussing SBA programs, an economic profile of veteran-owned businesses, veterans' employment and business development programs, veterans' access to capital, federal contracting goals for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and the military reservist economic injury disaster loan program.
- Temporary Protected Status: Overview and Current Issues
- This report describes Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the context of humanitarian responses to migration and also briefly describes one alternative -- Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) -- including the historical use of these mechanisms. It also provides data on the countries currently designated for TPS, outlines past legislation to provide lawful permanent resident status to certain TPS-designated foreign nationals, and provides examples of activity in the 115th Congress related to TPS.
- Defense's 30-Year Aircraft Plan Reveals New Details
- This report discusses the U.S. Department of Defense 30-year aviation plan released in April 2018. The yearly plan is intended to chart the direction of the aviation enterprise and is typically relatively short on specifics. By contrast, the most recent 30-year aviation plan is full of details on specific programs, including cancellations, life extensions, and new starts.
- Effects of U.S. Tariff Action on U.S. Aluminum Manufacturing
- This report discusses the aluminum tariffs put in effect by the U.S. in March 2018. The United States has assessed duties of 10% or more on certain imports of aluminum on national security grounds. The duties are controversial, with some Members of Congress questioning whether the duties will encourage domestic aluminum production and whether they could adversely affect U.S. industries that use aluminum.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report discusses Iran's foreign and defense policy and the reasoning behind it, as well as U.S. concerns regarding their power and nuclear weapon capability.
- Social Media Adoption by Members of Congress: Trends and Congressional Considerations
- This report examines Member adoption of social media platforms outside of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, such as Instagram, Flickr, and Google+, which have each been adopted by at least 2.5% of Representatives and Senators. It discusses the possible implications of the adoption of social media, including managing multiple platforms, the type of content and posting location, the allocation of office resources to social media communications, and archiving social media content.
- Venezuela: Political and Economic Crisis and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro and U.S. responses.
- Agency Delay: Congressional and Judicial Means to Expedite Agency Rulemaking
- This report outlines the various tools that Congress can use to encourage agencies to act within a particular time frame. It then analyzes how those tools inform judicial analysis of challenges to agency actions as "unreasonably delayed" or "unlawfully withheld" under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and provides concluding remarks..
- Agricultural Provisions of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement
- This report discusses the agricultural provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
- Do Courts Have Inherent Authority to Release Secret Grand Jury Materials?
- This report discusses the issue of releasing secret grand jury material. Although a long-established principle that has been deemed essential to the grand jury's functioning and independence is that matters occurring before it are to be kept secret, the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) establishes exceptions.
- Lebanon
- This report provides an overview of Lebanon and current issues of U.S. interest. It provides background information, analyzes recent developments and key policy debates, and tracks legislation, U.S. assistance, and recent congressional action
- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) Risk Adjustment Program: Frequently Asked Questions
- This report provides responses to some frequently-asked questions (FAQs) about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) risk adjustment program. It includes background on the health insurance market, discusses why risk mitigation matters, and introduces the role of risk adjustment in risk mitigation. The report also describes the mechanics of the program and concludes with questions regarding the program's experience thus far and future changes to the program.
- Proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement
- This report discusses the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Topics include market access, dispute settlement, intellectual property rights (IPR), energy, and labor and environment.
- Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report describes the current status of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and highlights issues that Congress may address as the United States pursues its compliance concerns with Russia. It starts with a historical overview and provides summaries of the provisions of the INF Treaty, Russia's concerns, and options that the United States has under the agreement, as well as a discussion of a potential Russian violation regarding development of a non-compliant missle.
- Spain and Its Relations with the United States: In Brief
- This report discusses relations between the U.S. and Spain and includes information on partnerships in counter-terrorism and military matters, economic ties, and political issues in Spain. It also provides an overview of the Catalan independence crisis and U.S. and EU views on the matter.
- Statutory Canon Aimed at International Organization Immunity
- This report discusses the upcoming Supreme Court case Jam v. International Finance Corp. The petitioners--a group of Indian nationals from Gujarat--seek to hold International Finance Corp. (IFC) liable for extensive environmental damage throughout their community caused by the construction of a power plant financed and overseen by IFC. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (D.C. Circuit) dismissed their lawsuit, holding, in accordance with the circuit's precedent, that the International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA) grants absolute immunity to IFC in this case.
- Trade Related Agencies: FY2019 Appropriations, Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS)
- This report provides an overview of the FY2019 budget request and appropriations for the International Trade Administration (ITA), the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), and the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). These three trade-related agencies are funded through the annual Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations act. This report also provides a review of these agencies' trade-related programs.
- Comparing DHS Component Funding, FY2019: In Brief
- This report reviews the budget authority provided to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2018, requested by the Trump Administration for FY2019, as well as the funding levels proposed in Senate and House Appropriations Committee-reported legislation for FY2019. It examines net discretionary annual appropriations for DHS--a perspective on the net impact of legislation funding DHS on congressionally tracked budget totals--and also provides a more inclusive look at the resources available to DHS components to perform their missions.
- Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: Fiscal Year 2019
- This report begins with a discussion of the overall level of President Trump's FY2019 R&D request, followed by analyses of the R&D funding request from a variety of perspectives and for selected multiagency R&D initiatives. The remainder of the report provides discussion and analysis of the R&D budget requests of selected federal departments and agencies that, collectively, account for approximately 99% of total federal R&D funding.
- Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) Mobility, Reconnaissance, and Firepower Programs
- This report discusses the Army's Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) and the transport and reconnaissance vehicles being developed for their use, as well as information about the FY2019 budget request for the program.
- Iraq: Issues in the 115th Congress
- This report discusses issues in Iraq, including remaining Islamic State fighters, the May 2018 election, economic challenges, humanitarian issues and stabilization.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections
- This report provides data on current Latin American and Caribbean leaders and the date of their last election as well as the next scheduled election.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues in the 115th Congress
- This report examines the political and economic environment in Latin America and the Caribbean and U.S. policy toward the region in the 115th Congress, highlighting congressional interest and legislative action.
- Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Qatar's governmental structure and politics, economy, foreign policy and regional disputes with other Gulf countries, U.S.-Qatar relations and security collaboration, and human rights issues.
- Reserve Component Personnel Issues: Questions and Answers
- This report is designed to provide an overview of key reserve component personnel issues. The term "Reserve Component" refers collectively to the seven individual reserve components of the Armed Forces: the Army National Guard of the United States, the Army Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air National Guard of the United States, the Air Force Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve.
- Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions
- This report discusses the sanctions the U.S. employs against Venezuela related to terrorism, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, antidemocratic actions, human rights violations, and corruption.
- Afghanistan: Legislation in the 115th Congress
- This report summarizes legislative proposals in the 115th Congress that relate to U.S. policy in Afghanistan. Proposals address a number of issues including: 1) aspects of the U.S. troop presence in the country, 2) information that the executive branch provides to Congress, 3) the role of women in Afghan society, government, and the military, 4) purposes for U.S. aid, and conditions under which it can be obligated, 5) overall U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, including prospects for a negotiated settlement, and 6) regional dynamics, including the role of Russia.
- Labor Market Patterns Since 2007
- This report uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to outline how various factors have affected the U.S. labor market from 2007-2018. It includes background and sections related to impacts of cyclical and structural change, full employment, the changing composition of employment -- both industry and occupation as well as demographics, and what to expect going forward.
- Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Overview, Issues, and Legislation
- This report discusses the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and assists communities in building or restoring public water supply infrastructure to comply with federal standards for clean drinking water and public health safety.
- Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Kuwait's governmental structure and politics, defense policies and cooperation with the U.S., foreign policy towards its neighbors, economy, and human rights concerns.
- Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico, followed by assessments of selected issues of congressional interest in Mexico: security and foreign aid, extraditions, human rights, trade, migration, energy, education, environment, and water issues.
- Advanced Pilot Training (T-X) Program
- This report discusses the Advanced Pilot Training (T-X) aircraft, which may shift training from Field Training Units, where expensive fifth-generation aircraft are used, to less expensive trainer aircraft.
- Army Corps of Engineers Annual and Supplemental Appropriations: Issues for Congress
- This report summarizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's (USACE's) annual discretionary appropriations for civil works activities and its supplemental appropriations, principally following major flood and hurricane disasters. The appropriations described are for those accounts and activities that typically are funded through Title I of annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts.
- Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: FY2019 Budget and Appropriations
- This report provides describes funding for Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) during fiscal year 2019, in comparison to fiscal year 2018 funding. It provides an overview, description of congressional action, and discussion of key issues for Congress, including agency funding as well as foreign assistance. It also includes several appendices with supplementary information and account-by-account comparisons.
- Membership of the 115th Congress: A Profile
- This report presents a profile of the membership of the 115th Congress (2017-2018) as of October 1, 2018. Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party affiliation, average age, occupation, education, length of congressional service, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, foreign births, and military service.
- Military Survivor Benefit Plan: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report describes the categories of beneficiaries eligible for survivor benefits under the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), the formulas used in computing the income level (including the integration of SBP benefits with other federal benefits), and the costs of SBP participation incurred by the retiree and/or the beneficiary. While this report focuses primarily on SBP, survivors of military members may be eligible for other benefits.
- Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs
- This report provides a definition of public safety officers and discusses the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program and the Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program.
- Cloture Attempts on Nominations: Data and Historical Development Through November 20, 2013
- This report discusses topics regarding cloture as a means to limit debate and overcome a possible filibuster.
- Former Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and Staff Assistance
- This report discusses the allowance former Speakers of the House of Representatives were provided upon their departure. This allowance began in 1970 and was repealed with the passage of the legislative branch appropriations act for FY2019, P.L. 115-244.
- Global Trade Imbalances
- This report discusses the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) July 2018 report on global trade imbalances that identifies countries with "excessive" current account balances and exchange rates that are "misaligned." The current account is a broad measure of a country's global economic engagement and is comprised of trade in goods, services, and official flows.
- South Sudan's Civil War: Nearly 400,000 Estimated Dead
- This report discusses the impact of the civil war in South Sudan, which has been ongoing since December 2013.
- Federalism-Based Limitations on Congressional Power: An Overview
- This report provides a broad overview of the various legal doctrines that inform the boundaries of Congress's authority vis-Ã -vis the states under the Constitution. It addresses several general principles, discusses "internal" limitations on Congress's exercise of powers, and concludes by outlining several "external" federalism-based limitations on Congress's powers, such as the anti-commandeering, anti-coercion, state sovereign immunity, and equal sovereignty doctrines.
- EPA Proposes the Affordable Clean Energy Rule to Replace the Clean Power Plan
- This report explores the legal basis for the proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule and discusses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) authority to consider various emission reduction options for existing power plants under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
- Government Contract Bid Protests: Analysis of Legal Processes and Recent Developments
- This report briefly analyzes the varying legal procedures applicable to bid protests under each forum. First, it provides an overview of bid protests generally and then analyzes the legal distinctions among these forums. Finally, the report discusses recent legislative developments affecting bid protest procedures and potential considerations for Congress.
- Iran Sanctions
- This report discusses U.S. sanctions against Iran and the 2016 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement which led to the lifting of sanctions based on nuclear proliferation in Iran. The bulk of the report outlines the various sanctions against Iran and their current implementation status, international efforts to bring about compliance, and their effects; it also addresses recent discussions regarding President's Trump announcement that the U.S. was decertifying the nuclear agreement and the possibility of reinstating certain sanctions.
- Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV): Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the development and procurement of the Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) and the FY2019 budget request for the ACV program.
- Selected Legal Tools for Maintaining Government Contractor Accountability
- This report analyzes a selection of the legal tools a procuring agency may use to hold contractors accountable. It assesses contractual remedies that procuring agencies could utilize, discusses performance-related contract source selection criteria, and describes other legal tools--outside of contract law and the contract selection processes--that the government may employ to hold a contractor accountable.
- Water Infrastructure Financing: The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program
- This report discusses the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act which is planning to provide subsidized loans and credit assistance to water infrastructure projects through the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
- Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorization and Project Delivery Processes
- This report summarizes congressional authorization legislation for U.S. Army Corps of Engineer (USACE) water resource development projects, the standard project delivery process, authorities for alternative water resource project delivery, and other USACE authorities.