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, Mid-September 2013

Securing U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel Abroad: Background and Policy Issues, CRS Report R42834, September 12, 2013 (32-page PDF) Securing U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel Abroad: Legislative and Executive Branch Initiatives, CRS Report R43195, September 12, 2013 (27-page PDF) Rare Earth Elements in National Defense: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress, CRS Report R41744, … Read more

Blue Dog Coalition / CMO (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Blue Dog Coalition / CMO The Blue Dog Coalition is a congressional member organization (CMO) made up of “conservative” House Democrats.   Van Hollen on Blue Dog Democrats   A few of the other CMOs as of 2012 include: Central American Caucus Community College Caucus … Read more

Caucus / Congressional Member Organization / CMO / Congressional Staff Organization / CSO (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Caucus / Congressional Member Organization / CMO / Congressional Staff Organization / CSO Caucus is from the Algonquian Indian language, where caucus meant “to meet together.” An informal organization of members of the House or the Senate, or both, that exists to discuss issues of … Read more

Congress: Informal Groups, Caucuses, and Congressional Member Organizations (CMO)

Most people are quite familiar with the idea of committees and subcommittees within Congress, but there are also many informal congressional groups. These groups can include informal groups, caucuses and Congressional Member Organizations (CMOs). While they may be called by different names, all of these groups refer to ad hoc social or policy groups that … Read more