STOCK Act / Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge Act (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms STOCK Act / Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge Act Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 or STOCK Act – (Sec. 3) Requires the congressional ethics committees to issue interpretive guidance of the rules of each chamber, including rules on conflicts of interest and … Read more

Crony Capitalism / Rent-Seeking / Corporate Welfare / Revolving Door (CongressionalGlossary.com)

Crony Capitalism / Rent-Seeking / Corporate Welfare / Revolving Door Corporate welfare refers to subsidies and regulatory protections that lawmakers confer on certain businesses and industries. When considering budget issues, federal policymakers are supposed to have the broad public interest in mind. Unfortunately, that is not how the federal budget process usually works in practice. … Read more

Recent CRS Reports – August 24, 2013

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations and Issues for Congress, CRS Report R42694, August 21, 2013 (70-page PDF) International Drug Control Policy: Background and U.S. Responses, CRS Report RL34543, August 13, 2013 (53-page PDF) Membership of the 113th Congress: A Profile, CRS Report R42964, August 5, 2013 (15-page PDF) Egypt in Crisis: Issues for Congress, CRS Report … Read more

Recent CRS Reports


Congressional Ethics (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Congressional Ethics   Panel Hits Rangel With 13 Ethics Charges   A member of Congress works in an environment with numerous ethical rules, and with constraints on official, political, and personal activities. These limits exist in laws, regulations, chamber rules, interpretations, and practices. The expectations … Read more

K Street / Gucci Gulch (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms K Street / Gucci Gulch Colloquialisms for Washington, DC, lobbyists. K Street is taken from K Street NW in Washington, DC, where many lobbying firms are located. K Street is definitely “inside the Beltway.” Pork Party House: Where DC insiders go for taxpayer-subsidized fun Gucci … Read more