Recent CRS Reports, Early-October 2013

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions, CRS Report RL32760, September 27, 2013 (49-page PDF) Government Shutdown: Operations of the Department of Defense During a Lapse in Appropriations, CRS Report R41745, October 7, 2013 (37-page PDF) EPA Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Power Plants: Many Questions, Some … Read more

Recent CRS Reports – Late September 2013

Ordering a Roll Call Vote in the Senate, CRS Report RS20199, September 9, 2013 (5-page PDF) Funding and Financing Highways and Public Transportation, CRS Report R42877, September 23, 2013 (38-page PDF) Federal Permitting and Oversight of Export of Fossil Fuels, CRS Report R43231, September 17, 2013 (20-page PDF) Reaching the Debt Limit: Background and Potential … Read more

Super PAC / Independent Expenditure-Only Committee (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Super PAC / Independent Expenditure-Only Committee   PACS and Super PACs   “Super PAC” is the colloquial term for “Independent Expenditure-Only Committee”. Independent expenditures represent spending by individuals, groups, political committees, corporations or unions expressly advocating the election or defeat of clearly identified federal candidates. … Read more

Some Problems with Current Campaign Finance Laws

Current campaign finance laws came about as a result of the Watergate scandal during the 1970s. Supporters of these laws enacted them with good intentions, of course. They primarily believed that campaign contributions resulted in the corruption of politicians. It was thought that a law that limited contributions would limit political corruption. Unfortunately, we have … Read more