Foreign Farmland Ownership in the United States – CRS In Focus IF11977

Legislation introduced in the 117th Congress seeks to restrict foreign investment and ownership of U.S. agricultural land. In 2019, foreign persons and entities held an interest in 2.7% of U.S. privately owned agricultural land—covering crop, grazing, and forest land—according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Other related legislation seeks to limit the eligibility of … Read more

How America Governs: Essentials of U.S. Governance – For Foreign Diplomats, Embassy Staff, and Interested Citizens

A Capitol Learning Audio CourseTM     For Interested Citizens and Foreign Diplomats and Embassy Staff Three Courses As a foreign diplomat or embassy staff member based in the United States (or as an interested citizen) you need a good understanding of the U.S. government to work effectively. This three-part series of courses introduces you … Read more

James Madison Bobblehead

  James Madison Bobblehead James Madison Bobble Head 7 inches tall Limited edition of 1000 Individually numbered Full color collector’s edition box included Styrofoam packaging inside box Montpelier on base in front Each James Madison Bobblehead includes 5 copies of our Pocket Constitution James Madison, Father of the Constitution (1751-1836) $27.95 Order online. James Madison … Read more

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

Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Structural Features and Function (CRS R45997)

This report describes the structure, activities, legislative history, and funding history of seven federal regional commissions and authorities: the Appalachian Regional Commission; the Delta Regional Authority; the Denali Commission; the Northern Border Regional Commission; the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority; the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission; and the Southwest Border Regional Commission. All seven regional commissions … 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