This report introduces the main steps through which a bill (or other item of business) may travel in the legislative process--from introduction to committee and floor consideration to possible presidential consideration. This report outlines each of the common stages through which a bill may move, with references to sources of additional information regarding complications and variations that occur in practice.

This report discusses Attorney General Jeff Sessions' memorandum on federal marijuana enforcement policy sent to all U.S. Attorneys that immediately rescinds guidance documents specific to marijuana enforcement. It provides background on the memorandum, the relevant regulations, and implications of withdrawing previous guidance.

This report discusses the economic crisis in Venezuela including its origins of the crisis and current attempts at debt restructuring by the Venezuelan government. The report also outlines U.S. interests in the Venezuelan economy and trade, the outlook for U.S. holders of Venezuelan oil company bonds, ownership of CITGO (the biggest shareholder is the Venezuelan state-oil company), and the prospects of U.S. support of economic recovery in the future.

Second part of a report regarding the Supreme Court case: "National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra;" it involves a California state law that requires certain pregnancy centers to distribute particular information to clients which they contend violates their free speech rights. This report discusses the potential implications of any Supreme Court decision in "NIFLA" for First Amendment jurisprudence and legislatures seeking to regulate in this area.

This report discusses the current state of transatlantic relations between the U.S. and Europe and especially the European Union (EU). It also outlines various European concerns over the direction of the Trump Administration and future issues for Congress to consider.

First part of a report regarding the Supreme Court case: "National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra;" it involves a California state law that requires certain pregnancy centers to distribute particular information to clients which they contend violates their free speech rights. This report provides an overview of the challenged law, followed by an analysis of how the Supreme Court might categorize the speech at issue.

This report provides an overview of U.S.-Mongolia relations and the politics and economy of Mongolia.

This report identifies the legislative bases for sanctions imposed on Iran, and the nature of the authority to waive or lift those restrictions. It includes two tables that present legislation and executive orders that are specific to Iran and its objectionable activities in the areas of terrorism, human rights, and weapons proliferation.

This report examines debates over what constitutes an unfunded federal mandate and UMRA's implementation. It focuses on UMRA's requirement that CBO issue written cost estimate statements for federal mandates in legislation, its procedures for raising points of order in the House and Senate concerning unfunded federal mandates in legislation, and its requirement that federal agencies prepare written cost estimate statements for federal mandates in rules.

This report provides a brief background of contempt of court, explores the various arguments regarding whether a pardon can relieve an individual of criminal liability for contempt, and discusses potential congressional responses to the perceived abuse of the pardon power.

This report traces the development of DOD-sponsored childcare services and discusses these issues in greater depth in order to support Members of Congress in their oversight role. The next section gives an overview of DOD's justification for the CDP program and demand for services. Next is a discussion of current CDP components, policies, and funding. This is followed by the legislative history of DOD-sponsored childcare in the military. The final section discusses issues and options for Congress related to oversight and funding of military childcare programs.

This report examines EPA's and selected other federal agencies' requirements on glider kits and glider vehicles and outlines the congressional response.

This report discusses efforts by Congress and the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) to combat robocall scams and prevent them from reaching consumers. It includes an overview of what robocalls are, their legitimate uses, regulation, and complaint procedures for consumers.

This report describes Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the context of humanitarian responses to migration and also briefly describes one alternative -- Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) -- including the historical use of these mechanisms. It also provides data on the countries currently designated for TPS, outlines past legislation to provide lawful permanent resident status to certain TPS-designated foreign nationals, and provides examples of activity in the 115th Congress related to TPS.

This report provides an overview of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs to provide training and other assistants to veterans seeking civilian employment. It includes sections discussing SBA programs, an economic profile of veteran-owned businesses, veterans' employment and business development programs, veterans' access to capital, federal contracting goals for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and the military reservist economic injury disaster loan program.

This report discusses the increasing religious intolerance in Indonesia. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, and it has long been known for its moderate interpretations of Islam. The text outlines background, information about Muslim groups, foreign influence, religious schools, government actions, and responses by Indonesia and the U.S.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

This report first explains how, under current bankruptcy law, Chapter 9 (municipalities) debtors have significant freedom to modify their outstanding pension obligations through the bankruptcy process. The report then explores proposals to alter the legal principles governing the adjustment of municipal pensions in bankruptcy.

This report discusses "tort reform" which refers to whether (and to what extent) legislatures should limit lawsuits concerning negligence, personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, and other similar causes of action. The report surveys several major tort and litigation reform bills pending in the 115th Congress and discusses some of the legal issues raised by each bill.

This report discusses proposed balanced budget amendments to the Constitution and their content.

This report discusses the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 2018, P.L. 115-123) and the inclusion in it of an FY2019 budget resolution. The report then discusses the differences between a traditional budge resolution and a substitute budget resolution like the one found in the BBA.

This report provides an overview of the various deferred action immigration programs in the U.S. (DACA, TPS, etc.) and their various regulations and protections.

This report discusses the effort to build a "smart" electricity grid across the the U.S. which can be run with digital technologies that control most of the major functions of a power plant. The current state of the movement and concerns regarding cyber-security are also discussed.

This report discusses the disagreement between the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Treasury Department on how to issue new tax regulations. It discusses the historical roots and nature of the disagreement and potential implications.