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The article presents questions and answers related to archival records of the U.S. Congress, including a description of archival records in the Congressional context, the laws and customs governing the records of Congress, and guidance on managing these records.

The article discusses the force structure transformation initiative of the 2024 Army. Topics include reasons that U.S. Army has reorganized or transformed its force structure on several occasions, the transformation of the force structure of the Army on four major occasions since 2000, and potential considerations for Congress.

The article focuses on the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor awarded by the U.S. President to individuals for significant contributions in various fields. Topics include the medal's history and design, the nomination and selection process, and the list of recipients since its establishment in 1963.

The article provides information on the Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system that is being developed by the U.S. Army. Details are presented on M-SHORAD requirements, variants or increments, fiscal year 2024 M-SHORAD budget request, and oversight considerations for the U.S. Congress such as the Russo-Ukraine conflict and the 2024 "Army Force Structure Transformation" white paper which proposes additional M-SHORAD battalions.

The article examines how teacher perceptions impact the learning experiences of students with disabilities in physical education (PE). It highlights the complexities involved in inclusive PE, including issues related to teacher attitudes, preparation, and the overall educational environment's inclusivity.

The article focuses on the U.S. Congressional Research Service and discusses the Internal Revenue Service's Free File Program (FFP), which enables eligible individuals to electronically (e-file) their federal income tax returns. Topics include the evolution of e-filing since its pilot program in 1986, the structure and history of the FFP, and ongoing policy issues such as low usage rates and proposed reforms like return-free filing or free direct e-filing.

The article focuses on the regulatory framework governing securities disclosure in the United States, highlighting the importance of transparency for investors. Topics include the requirements set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the principles of materiality and comparability in disclosures, and ongoing policy debates regarding the frequency and format of disclosure requirements.

The article focuses on the current status and policy issues of the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Free File Program (FFP). Topics include the historical growth of e-filing, the structure and evolution of the FFP, and ongoing policy debates. It discusses the program's origins, its development through public-private partnerships, and concerns about low usage rates and the potential for a direct IRS e-filing service to replace or supplement the current system.

The article focuses on the implications of intensified U.S. competition with China and Russia, often termed great power competition (GPC), which has shifted the defense discourse from counterterrorism to broader strategic concerns. Topics include the redefinition of U.S. grand strategy and military planning, the evolving nature of defense budget considerations, and the necessity for organizational changes within the Department of Defense to address contemporary threats.

The article focuses on the potential U.S.-Saudi agreements and the normalization of Saudi Arabia's relations with Israel. Topics include the Biden Administration's stance on Saudi-Israeli normalization as a national security interest, the conditions Saudi Arabia seeks for formal agreements, and the implications for U.S. foreign policy and congressional oversight.

The article focuses on the implications of China's naval modernization for U.S. Navy capabilities. Topics include China's expanding naval fleet and its growing operations in the Western Pacific, comparisons of ship numbers between the U.S. and China, and U.S. strategic responses, including increased presence and new operational concepts, to counteract China's maritime advancements.

The article focuses on the Federal Statistical System (FSS) in the U.S., a decentralized network of over 100 agencies dedicated to statistical activities. Topics include the role of the thirteen principal statistical agencies (PSAs) in data collection and analysis, the impact of legislative acts on coordination and policy, and the challenges related to declining response rates and privacy concerns in federal surveys.

The article focuses on the potential of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) approaches as a strategy to mitigate climate change. Topics include the scientific basis for mCDR and its role in carbon storage, the various methods being explored, and the considerations for congressional action regarding research, regulatory frameworks, and environmental impacts.

The article focuses on the constitutional powers of Congress and the President regarding foreign trade agreements, examining the roles each branch plays in the negotiation and approval processes. It discusses the evolving landscape of trade agreements, particularly the emergence of hybrid agreements that blend congressional and executive authority, raising legal questions about their constitutionality and the implications for the balance of power in U.S. trade policy.

The article focuses on the development and strategic implications of hypersonic weapons by the U.S. as part of its conventional prompt global strike program. It highlights the distinction between hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missiles, emphasizing the increasing interest and funding from both the Pentagon and Congress due to advancements in hypersonic technology by adversaries like Russia and China.

The article focuses on the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) on marginal effective tax rates (METR) for investment, analyzing both permanent and temporary provisions. Topics include the tax rate differentials across various assets and sectors, the implications of changing tax regimes on investment incentives, and the estimated effects of tax rate shifts on overall investment levels in the economy.

The article focuses on the U.S. President Joe Biden Administration's executive actions affecting federal student loan programs, highlighting the modifications made to address the significant student debt crisis in the U.S. It outlines the various actions taken from Fiscal year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2023, their financial implications, and the contrasting views on their effectiveness and costs to the federal government.

The article focuses on the development and funding of shipboard solid-state lasers (SSLs) by the U.S. Navy for enhanced surface-ship self-defense against threats like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and anti-ship missiles (ASCMs). It outlines key programs, strategic concerns regarding the survivability of Navy surface ships, and the advantages of SSLs in improving defense capabilities and cost-effectiveness.

The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. The seven other Arctic states are Russia, Canada, Iceland, Denmark (by virtue of Greenland), Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984 (Title I of P.L. 98-373 of July 31, 1984) “provide[s] for a comprehensive national policy dealing with national research needs and objectives in the Arctic.” The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the lead federal agency for implementing Arctic research policy. The Arctic Council, created in 1996, is the leading international forum for addressing issues relating to the Arctic. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets forth a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans, including the Arctic Ocean. The United States is not a party to UNCLOS. An array of climate changes in the Arctic is now documented by observing systems, with more expected with future greenhouse gas-driven climate change. Observed physical changes in the Arctic include warming ocean, soil, and air temperatures; melting permafrost; shifting vegetation and animal abundances; and altered characteristics of Arctic cyclones. A monitoring report of the Arctic Council concluded in 2019 that “the Arctic biophysical system is now clearly trending away from its previous state [in the 20th century] and into a period of unprecedented change, with implications not only within but also beyond the Arctic.” Following the end of the Cold War, the Arctic states sought to maintain the Arctic as a region of cooperation, low tension, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for international law. Over the past 10 to 15 years, the emergence of great power competition between the United States, Russia, and China has introduced elements of competition and tension into the Arctic’s geopolitical environment. Russia’s war in Ukraine beginning on February 24, 2022, has further affected the region’s geopolitical environment by prompting the seven Arctic states other than Russia to suspend most forms of Arctic cooperation with Russia, by prompting Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership (they are now NATO members), and in other ways. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Coast Guard are devoting increased attention to the Arctic in their planning, budgeting, and operations. Whether DOD and the Coast Guard are taking sufficient actions for defending U.S. interests in the region is a topic of congressional oversight. The Coast Guard has two operational polar icebreakers and through FY2023 has received funding for procuring the first two of four or five planned new heavy polar icebreakers. The diminishment of Arctic ice could lead in coming years to increased commercial shipping on two trans-Arctic sea routes—the Northern Sea Route close to Russia, and the Northwest Passage close to Alaska and through the Canadian archipelago—though the rate of increase in the use of these routes might not be as great as sometimes anticipated in press accounts. International guidelines for ships operating in Arctic waters have been updated. Changes to the Arctic brought about by warming temperatures will likely allow more onshore and offshore exploration for oil, gas, and minerals. Warming that causes permafrost to melt could pose challenges to onshore exploration activities. Increased vessel traffic (e.g., oil and gas exploration, cruise ships, expanded fishing activities) in the Arctic increase the risk of pollution in Arctic waters. Cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult than in other areas, primarily because effective strategies for cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters have yet to be developed. Changes in the Arctic could result in migration of fish stocks to new waters, and could affect protected species. The United States is working with other countries regarding the management of Arctic fish stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) program, detailing its operations, funding, and congressional issues. It highlights how Aegis-equipped Navy ships provide critical defense against potential ballistic missile threats from countries like Iran and North Korea, with the number of BMD-capable ships expected to grow significantly by fiscal year 2030.

The article focuses on the current and future structure of the U.S. Navy, addressing key issues such as ship procurement rates, affordability of shipbuilding plans, and the industrial capacity to meet these goals. It highlights the Navy's target of achieving a fleet of 381 manned ships and the implications of proposed retirements, budget requests, and delays in shipbuilding programs.

The article provides information on the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) destroyer programs and related policy considerations for Congress. The Navy has procured 94 DDG-51 ships through fiscal year (FY) 2024. The budget proposed by the Navy for FY2025 seeks to procure two more DDG-51 costing about 2.5 billion dollars each. The Navy procured three DDG-1000 destroyers in FY2007 to FY2009 but plans no further procurement of the ships.

The article explores the potential use of coastal blue carbon ecosystems as a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approach and related considerations for the U.S. Congress. It describes the nature of coastal blue carbon ecosystems and their CDR capacity, as well as the importance of improving the mapping of such ecosystems to determine their carbon sequestriation and carbon storage ability and durability. It discusses several legislative issues to be considered by Congress related to such ecosystems.

The article provides information on the U.S. Navy's Virginia-class (SSN-774) nuclear-powered attack submarine program and AUKUS submarine (Pillar 1) project, as well as policy considerations for Congress. The budget proposed by the Navy for fiscal year 2025 seeks to procure one SSN-774 that would become the 41st boat in the class, with an estimated cost of 5,759.5 million dollars. Pillar 1 involves the deployment, selling and development of SSN by Australia, the United kingdom and the U.S.

The article provides information on the U.S. Navy's Constellation-class (FFG-62) frigate program and related considerations for Congress. The program aims to procure at least 20 FFG-62 frigates, including the six ships that have been acquired through fiscal year (FY) 2024. The budget proposed by the Navy for FY2025 requests 1,170.4 million dollars to procure the seventh ship in the program. Potential oversight issues to be considered by Congress include the risk of cost growth in the program.

The article explains the multiyear procurement (MYP) and block buy contracting (BBC) mechanisms that the U.S. Congress allows the Department of Defense to use for a limited number of defense acquisition programs, as well as related considerations for Congress. It describes similarities and differences between MYP and BBC, as well as the funding approaches of each contracting mechanism. It discusses issues to be faced by Congress, including the frequency of using MYP or BBC.

The Navy’s Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new SSBNs to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. Since 2013, the Navy has consistently identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority program. The Navy procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021; the boat was funded with three-year incremental funding in FY2021-FY2023. The Navy procured the second Columbia-class boat in FY2024; the boat is being funded with two-year incremental funding (also called split funding) in FY2024-FY2025. The Navy wants to procure the remaining 10 boats in the program—boats 3 through 12—at a rate of one per year in FY2026- FY2035. The Navy’s FY2025 budget submission estimates the total procurement cost of the first boat at $15,179.1 million (i.e., about $15.2 billion) and the procurement cost of the second Columbia-class boat at $9,283.1 million (i.e., about $9.3 billion). The first boat’s procurement cost is much higher than that of subsequent boats in the class because the first boat includes most of the detail design/nonrecurring engineering (DD/NRE) costs for the class. (It is a long-standing Navy budgetary practice to incorporate the DD/NRE costs for a new class of ship into the total procurement cost of the first ship in the class.) The first boat’s estimated procurement cost includes $6,557.6 million for plans, meaning (essentially) the DD/NRE costs for the class. Excluding costs for plans, the estimated hands-on construction cost of the first ship is $8,621.5 million (i.e., about $8.6 billion). The Navy’s proposed FY2025 budget requests $3,341.2 million (i.e., about $3.3 billion) in procurement funding to complete the procurement cost of the second Columbia-class boat and $6,215.9 million (i.e., about $6.2 billion) in advance procurement (AP) funding for Columbia class boats to be procured in FY2026 and subsequent years. Issues for Congress for the Columbia-class program include the following: • The impact of an estimated 12- to 16-month delay in the delivery of the first Columbia-class boat on the Navy’s plans for replacing Ohio-class SSBNs on a timely basis; • industrial-base challenges of building both Columbia-class boats and Virginia-class attack submarines (SSNs) at the same time; • the risk of cost growth in the Columbia-class program; and • the potential impact of the Columbia-class program on funding that will be available for other Navy programs, including other shipbuilding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explains the concept and occurrence of "lame duck" sessions in U.S. Congress, which happen after elections but before the new Congress begins. Topics discussed include the historical context of lame duck sessions, the mechanisms by which they can be held, such as session recesses and contingent authority, and the impact of the Twentieth Amendment on their timing and frequency.

The article examines trends in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) procurement of food and agricultural products. Information is provided on food purchases by federal agencies versus purchases by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA-reported purchases by product type, entitlement and bonus purchases, federal funding sources, programs receiving USDA-purchased commodities, vendor eligibility requirements and small business considerations, and legislative proposals and activity.

The article provides an overview of the deferred maintenance of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and issues for the U.S. Congress. Topics discussed include NPS deferred maintenance by state and park, estimates of NPS deferred maintenance, and funding for NPS deferred maintenance such as the Legacy Restoration Fund, annual appropriations, transportation funding from the Highway Trust Fund, park entrance and recreation fees, and concessions franchise fees.

The article focuses on the current administrative developments concerning Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, also known as the Enterprises. Topics include their regulatory oversight by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the impacts of their conservatorship on housing finance, and the proposed reforms in Congress aimed at ending their conservatorship.

The article outlines the presidential disability or inability provisions under the 25th amendment to the U.S. Constitution and presents perspectives for the U.S. Congress. It analyzes instances of presidential disability implemented including for Ronald Reagan in 1985, George W. Bush in 2002 and 2007, President Joseph Biden in 2021, James A. Garfield in 1881, Grover Cleveland in 1893, Woodrow Wilson from 1919-1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1944-45, and Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1955-57.

The article focuses on the Congressional Gold Medal, its historical significance, and the legislative process for awarding it. Topics include the history and notable recipients of the medal, the detailed process for designing and minting the medal, and current legislative practices and potential changes regarding the awarding of gold medals.

The article focuses on the eligibility of students for Unemployment Compensation (UC) under both federal and state laws. Topics include the impact of the economic recession on student employment, the variations in state laws regarding student eligibility for UC benefits, and the specific conditions under which students and recent graduates may qualify for these benefits.

The article focuses on the growing concerns about the reliability of the U.S. natural gas system, driven by recent supply disruptions and evolving energy demands. Topics include the interdependence between natural gas and electricity systems, recent supply emergencies and their causes, and the debate over federal regulation and infrastructure improvements for natural gas reliability.

The article focuses on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C.) Circuit's decision in United States v. Bannon, which deals with criminal contempt of Congress. Topics include the court's interpretation of "willfully" in the context of Section 192, Bannon's arguments regarding bad faith and advice of counsel, and considerations for Congress on whether to amend the contempt statute.

The article focuses on the status of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Topics discussed include the current protections and management of grizzly bear populations, the debate over whether they should remain listed under the ESA, and legislative efforts concerning their delisting and conservation.

The article focuses on economic forecasts and projections, which are predictions about future economic conditions and indicators. Topics include various sources of U.S. economic forecasts such as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Federal Reserve, the methods used for generating and reporting these forecasts, and the importance of forecasts for policymaking and economic planning.

The article focuses on the United States' federal trust responsibility to 574 federally recognized Tribes, which includes managing tribal lands and assets. Topics include the types of tribal land ownership and their associated challenges for federal policies, the complex jurisdictional relationships between tribal, federal, and state governments, and the presentation of maps and tables that detail the location of tribal lands within congressional districts.

The article focuses on the recent modernization of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to address concerns about its effectiveness and applicability. Topics include the updated definitions and benchmarks for CRA assessments, the expansion of evaluation criteria to include online activities, and the increased rigor for large banks' CRA examinations.

The article focuses on the risks posed by foreign ownership, control, and influence (FOCI) in the U.S. food and agriculture sector. Topics include the specific elements of the food supply chain that are vulnerable to FOCI, the various types of risks such as intellectual property theft and prioritization of foreign markets, and the legislative and policy measures being considered to address these risks.

The article focuses on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) involvement in regulating voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). Topics include the varying quality of carbon credits due to the lack of universal standards, the CFTC's proposed guidance for VCM derivative contracts to ensure quality and transparency, and the alignment of these efforts with international and trade group standards to enhance the integrity of carbon credits.

The article focuses on the complex debate over the operation and future of federal dams in the Columbia River Basin, particularly the lower Snake River dams, and their impact on endangered fish species. Topics include the effects of dam operations on salmon and steelhead trout populations, federal responses concerning dam operations and fish recovery, and legislative options being considered by Congress regarding the potential removal or alteration of the lower Snake River dams.

The article focuses on the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and its history, mission, and evolving roles. Topics include the agency's establishment and reorganization over time, its funding fluctuations and recent statutory authorization, and current issues such as the agency's response to a 2024 court ruling and its efforts to implement new programs and expand its capacity.

The article focuses on providing resources for congressional offices related to Independence Day events. Topics include historical context and significance of the holiday, selected congressional speeches and presidential proclamations, and notable speeches and cultural resources available for the Fourth of July.

The article focuses on the implementation and impact of Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which mandates data collection on small business lending. Topics include the history and legislative context of small business credit access, the specific requirements and timelines for data reporting under Section 1071, and the challenges faced by lenders and policymakers in gathering and analyzing this data.

The article focuses on the military retirement system, a government-funded, noncontributory, defined benefit program designed to retain career military personnel. Topics include the eligibility criteria and benefits for active, reserve, and disability retirees, recent budgetary and policy debates affecting the system, and the impact of retirement system modifications on military recruitment and retention.

The article focuses on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and its role in the Inter Partes Review (IPR) process, which was established under the 2011 America Invents Act (AIA) to provide a faster and more cost-effective alternative to federal court litigation for challenging patent validity. Topics include the procedures and controversies surrounding PTAB, such as concerns over bias against patent holders, the constitutionality of IPR, and ongoing legislative and regulatory discussions.

The article focusses on Congressional Research Service report which provides an overview of Navy ship naming practices overseen by the Secretary of the Navy under presidential and congressional guidelines. It discusses historical and evolving rules, exceptions, and perceived deviations in naming conventions across various ship types like submarines, aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, and amphibious ships. It highlights recent trends and specific naming examples within each ship category.

The article focuses on the financing mechanisms and beneficiary demographics of the Social Security program. Topics include the distribution of beneficiaries, the funding sources for Social Security, and the role of the U.S. Treasury in managing trust fund assets. It details payroll tax contributions, the investment of surplus revenues in government securities, and the process of redeeming these securities to pay benefits.