Overview of Public and Private School Choice Options (CRS IF10713)

School choice generally refers to the opportunity for parents to select an elementary or secondary school for their child that differs from the assigned school that the child would otherwise attend based on where the family lives. School choice is often divided into two major categories—public school choice and private school choice. Both types of … Read more

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

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines licensed or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are a critical tool to reduce the spread and severity of COVID-19. FDA initially authorized the vaccines, between December 2020 and February 2021, under Section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), a regulatory … Read more

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

Wildfire Statistics (CRS IF10244)

Wildfires are unplanned and unwanted fires, including lightning-caused fires, unauthorized human-caused fires, and escaped prescribed fire projects. States are responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on nonfederal (state, local, and private) lands, except for lands protected by federal agencies under cooperative agreements. The federal government is responsible for responding to wildfires that begin on … 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 – 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

Federal Election Results: Frequently Asked Questions (CRS R46565)

Several states have implemented new election administration processes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that could affect how and when ballots are counted. Even under normal circumstances, finalizing federal election results takes days or weeks after election day. Among other steps, state, territorial, and local election officials canvass votes to ensure that ballots are valid … Read more

The Constitution of the United States – Related Materials

The United States Constitution and The Declaration of Independence Pocket Constitution – Related Materials TCNCRM.com / TCNCAM.com If you have suggestions for additional Constitution-related items that should be referenced, please contact us. Thanks to the people who have made suggestions: Prof. W. B. Allen, Prof. Robert McDonald, Toby Dorsey.   Antonin Scalia – On American … Read more