Addressing Lead in Drinking Water: The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) (CRS R46794)

Lead’s adverse health effects—especially for children, even at low levels of exposure—have driven continuing efforts to reduce lead exposure through drinking water. Primarily, lead enters drinking water after leaving the treatment plant, when lead may leach into water from plumbing materials or pipes. Accordingly, controlling corrosion of plumbing and pipes has been the principal method … Read more

Recent CRS Reports – April 2021

“Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Structural Features and Function,” CRS Report R45997, April 29, 2021 (59-page PDF) “Earmark Disclosure Rules in the Senate: Member and Committee Requirements,” CRS Report RS22867, April 28, 2021 (11-page PDF) “Apportionment and Redistricting Following the 2020 Census,” CRS Insight IN11360, April 27, 2021 (6-page PDF) “Jones v. Mississippi, the Eighth … Read more

State and Federal Authority to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination (CRS R46745)

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines recently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are a critical tool to address the pandemic. After determining that these vaccines meet the applicable statutory standards and the Agency’s specific safety and efficacy standards, FDA issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) under Section 564 of the Federal Food, … Read more

Recent CRS Reports – March 2021

The Economic Effects of Financing a Large and Permanent Increase in Government Spending, Congressional Budget Office, CBO Working Paper 57201, March 2021 (42-page PDF) “Recommendation for New U.S. Circuit and District Court Judgeships by the Judicial Conference of the United States (117th Congress),” CRS Insight IN11639, March 26, 2021 (6-page PDF) “District of Columbia Voting … Read more

Federal Deficits, Growing Debt, and the Economy in the Wake of COVID-19 (CRS R46729)

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a swift and deep economic downturn from which the country has yet to fully recover. In response to COVID-19, the federal government enacted expansionary fiscal policy to provide relief and stimulus to the economy. Several bills were enacted in FY2020, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security … Read more

Asylum Processing at the Border: Legal Basics (CRS LSB10582)

Recent statistics and reports from the southern border show a sharp increase in the arrival of non-U.S. nationals (called “aliens” under governing law) who lack visas or other valid entry documents. (This Sidebar generally refers to such aliens encountered at the cusp of entry into the United States as “undocumented migrants” to distinguish them from … Read more

Recent CRS Reports – February 2021

Considering Legislation on the House Floor: Common Practices in Brief, CRS Report R43424, February 26, 2021 (13-page PDF) “Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations,” CRS Report R46469, February 26, 2021 (40-page PDF) “Availability of Legislative Measures in the House of Representatives (The “72-Hour Rule”),” CRS Report RS22015, February 25, 2021 (12-page PDF) “U.S. Capitol Attack and Law … Read more

“Agency Rescissions of Legislative Rules,” CRS Report R46673

Federal administrative agencies carry out their statutorily prescribed responsibilities in many ways. Perhaps most significantly, agencies may, pursuant to congressionally delegated authority, promulgate rules with the force of law, commonly known as “regulations,” “substantive rules,” or “legislative rules.” The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) establishes the procedural framework with which agencies generally must comply when issuing … Read more

Recent CRS Reports, January 2021

“The U.S. Income Distribution: Trends and Issues,” CRS Report R44705 (55-page PDF) “Federal Criminal Law: January 6, 2021, Unrest at the Capitol,” CRS Legal Sidebar LSB10564 (9-page PDF) “Cybersecurity Concerns Related to the Recent Breach of U.S. Capitol Security,” CRS Insight IN11572 (5-page PDF) “Domestic Terrorism and the Attack on the U.S. Capitol,” CRS Insight … Read more

Regular Order (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms   ‘Regular Order’: Lawmaking The Old-Fashioned Way | Ron’s Office Hours | NPR   Many contemporary lawmakers urge a return to “regular order” lawmaking. In general, the regular order refers to a traditional, committee-centered process of lawmaking, very much in evidence during most of the … Read more