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| Date Dec. 20, 2024 |
Report No. LSB11253 |
Title
Legal Sidebari The Captures Clause (Part 1): Overview, Historical Context, and Drafting History December 20, 2024 This Legal Sidebar is the first installment in a two-part series discussing Congress s power to make rules concerning Captures on Land and Water derived from Article I, Section 8, clause 11 of the Constitution. This provision, sometimes called the Captures Clause, provides Congress ...
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| Date Dec. 20, 2024 |
Report No. LSB11254 |
Title
Legal Sidebari The Captures Clause (Part 2): Jurisprudence and U.S. Practice December 20, 2024 This Legal Sidebar is the second installment in a two-part series discussing Congress s power to make rules concerning Captures on Land and Water derived from Article I, Section 8, clause 11 of the Constitution. This provision, sometimes called the Captures Clause, provides Congress with authority to ...
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| Date Dec. 20, 2024 |
Report No. R41807 |
Title
House and Senate Chaplains: An Overview Updated December 20, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R41807 SUMMARY House and Senate Chaplains: An Overview Except for a brief period in the 1850s, the House of Representatives and Senate have had elected chaplains since 1789. The chaplains are chosen by each chamber as individuals and not as representatives of any ...
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| Date Dec. 20, 2024 |
Report No. R41759 |
Title
Past Government Shutdowns: Key Resources Updated December 20, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R41759 Past Government Shutdowns: Key Resources Summary When federal government agencies and programs lack budget authority after the expiration of either full-year or interim appropriations, they experience a funding gap. Under the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1341 et ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF11030 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 U.S. Tariff Policy: Overview Introduction A tariff is a tax levied on imported goods and services. Historically, tariffs were a major source of revenue for many countries and were often the primary source of federal revenue through the late-nineteenth century. Today, other taxes account for most government revenue in developed countries. Tariffs are now typically used ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF10715 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 Venezuela: Overview of U.S. Sanctions Policy Since 2005, the United States has imposed targeted sanctions on Venezuelan individuals and entities that have engaged in criminal, antidemocratic, or corrupt actions. U.S. sanctions have been imposed via both executive and congressional action. In response to increasing repression and corruption under President Nicol s Maduro, ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IN12472 |
Title
INSIGHTi Remote Worker Relocation Assistance Programs December 19, 2024 In recent years, a number of U.S. cities and states have started programs to offer financial incentives to certain individuals particularly those engaging in remote work to relocate to certain places. While some of these remote worker relocation assistance programs (RWRAPs) existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, several of them ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF10639 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 Farm Bill Primer: Energy Title Omnibus farm bills have been enacted periodically to address agricultural and food programs. The most recent farm bill the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334) contains 12 titles, including Title IX, Energy. The 2018 farm bill is the fourth farm bill to contain an energy title. In preparation for another farm ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IN12473 |
Title
INSIGHTi Turkey (T rkiye) in Syria: Key U.S. Policy Issues December 19, 2024 Turkey (alt. T rkiye) may be the most influential outside actor in Syria following the December 2024 downfall of Bashar Al Asad s (alt. Assad) regime, given the blow dealt by Asad s defeat to his regime s main foreign protectors, Russia and Iran. Turkey appears to be influential with the group that led the late 2024 ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R48315 |
Title
AM Broadcast Radio in Motor Vehicles December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R48315 SUMMARY AM Broadcast Radio in Motor Vehicles More than 4,000 U.S. broadcast radio stations use amplitude modulation (AM) frequencies a technology more than 100 years old to transmit audio programming containing news, music, and information to listeners. AM radio also ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF10521 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 Authority to Launch Nuclear Forces The U.S. President has sole authority to authorize the use of U.S. nuclear weapons. This authority is inherent in his constitutional role as Commander in Chief. The President can seek advice from his senior military leaders; those military leaders are then required to transmit and implement the orders authorizing nuclear use if the ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF11803 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 U.S. Capital Markets and China: Issues for Congress Financial ties between the United States and the People s Republic of China (PRC or China) have been contracting since 2020, due in part to China s economic slowdown, reinvigorated PRC capital controls, and U.S. government and business concerns about the potential risks of investing in China. According to the Department ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF11877 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Through treaties, acts of Congress, and court decisions, the federal government has recognized a federal trust responsibility a legal and moral obligation toward federally recognized Tribes (hereinafter, Tribes) and tribal citizens. Congress s approach to implementing this ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF12283 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (High Seas Treaty) On June 19, 2023, the United Nations (U.N.) adopted an international legally binding instrument to address marine biodiversity on the high seas (international waters). This agreement is the first single international instrument to address biodiversity on the high seas as a whole. The instrument is ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF12578 |
Title
Updated December 19, 2024 Implementing Agreements Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) For over 40 years, Congress has deliberated, to varying degrees, the potential pros and cons of the 1982 United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as it pertains to U.S. ocean policy and interests. UNCLOS established a comprehensive international legal ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF12856 |
Title
December 19, 2024 Defense Primer: Other Transactions (OTs) The Department of Defense (DOD) is authorized to enter into legally binding contracts, referred to as other transactions (OTs), to acquire goods and services in certain situations. OTs, in contrast to traditional procurement contracts, are exempt from many federal procurement laws and regulations. These regulatory exemptions give DOD ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. IF12857 |
Title
December 19, 2024 Elections and Campaign Finance: Policy and Legal Background for Congress Traditionally, the federal government s role in campaigns and elections primarily includes regulating campaign finance, protecting voting rights, and supporting states in election administration. Congress approved substantial amendments in these policy areas between 2002 and 2009. Recent Congresses provided ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. LSB11252 |
Title
Legal Sidebari TikTok v. Garland: Constitutional Challenges to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act December 19, 2024 In April 2024, Congress enacted the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACAA) as part of a supplemental appropriations act (P.L. 118-50). The PAFACAA makes it unlawful to provide certain services to ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R48316 |
Title
Ordering the Previous Question on a Special Rule in the House December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R48316 SUMMARY Ordering the Previous Question on a Special Rule in the House House Members regularly take votes to order the previous question on special rules that set the terms for debate and amendment of one or more measures. The procedural effect of ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. RL33745 |
Title
Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RL33745 SUMMARY Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress RL33745 December 19, 2024 Ronald O'Rourke Specialist in Naval Affairs The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. RS20722 |
Title
The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RS20722 The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor Summary The Constitution mandates that Congress convene at noon on January 3 unless the preceding Congress, by law, designated a different day. P.L. ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R41909 |
Title
Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R41909 Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition Summary Multiyear procurement (MYP) and block buy contracting (BBC) are special contracting mechanisms that ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R44175 |
Title
Navy Shipboard Lasers: Background and Issues for Congress Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R44175 Navy Shipboard Lasers: Background and Issues for Congress Summary This report provides background information and issues for Congress on shipboard solid state lasers (SSLs) that the Navy is developing for surface-ship self-defense. The Navy s ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R44972 |
Title
Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R44972 Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress Summary The Navy began procuring Constellation (FFG-62) class frigates (FFGs) in FY2020, and a total of six have been procured ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R45757 |
Title
Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45757 SUMMARY Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress R45757 December 19, 2024 Ronald O'Rourke Specialist in Naval Affairs Among the Navy s programs for developing and acquiring ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R46374 |
Title
Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) (Previously Light Amphibious Warship [LAW]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R46374 SUMMARY Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) (Previously Light Amphibious Warship [LAW]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress R46374 December 19, 2024 Ronald O'Rourke Specialist in ...
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| Date Dec. 19, 2024 |
Report No. R47744 |
Title
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): Living Resources Provisions Updated December 19, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R47744 SUMMARY United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): Living Resources Provisions The United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established a comprehensive international legal ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. IF10472 |
Title
Updated December 18, 2024 North Korea s Nuclear Weapons and Missile Programs Overview North Korea continues to advance its nuclear weapons and missile programs despite U.N. Security Council sanctions and high-level diplomatic efforts. The country s ballistic missile testing, military parades, and policy statements suggest that North Korea is continuing to build a nuclear warfighting capability ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. IF12854 |
Title
December 18, 2024 Messages, Petitions, Communications, and Memorials to Congress The Constitution and the rules of the House of Representatives and Senate identify various means that citizens, other levels of government, and coordinate branches of the national government may use to communicate formally with either or both houses of Congress. The House and Senate use written messages to communicate ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. IF12855 |
Title
December 18, 2024 Legislation: Engrossment, Enrollment, and Presentation Engrossment, enrollment, and presentation of legislation are components of the legislative process that attest to the accuracy of bill texts, confirm House and Senate action, and confirm delivery of the bills to the President for review. Engrossment When either house orders the third reading of a bill, it simultaneously ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. IF12200 |
Title
Updated December 18, 2024 The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) Background On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) announced a major force design initiative planned to occur over 10 years originally referred to as Force Design 2030 which is now known as Force Design. As part of this initiative, the Marines are redesigning forces to place a stronger emphasis on naval ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. LSB11092 |
Title
Legal Sidebari Fourth Circuit Holds That Certain Medicaid and State-Funded Health Plans Discriminate by Refusing to Cover Treatments for Gender Dysphoria Updated December 18, 2024 Several states have considered the extent to which transgender individuals should have access to certain medical treatments to address a discordance between a person s sex characteristics and gender identity. While some ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. R48313 |
Title
Overview of the Federal Tax System in 2024 December 18, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R48313 SUMMARY Overview of the Federal Tax System in 2024 This report describes the federal tax structure and system in effect for 2024. The report also provides selected statistics on the tax system as a whole. Historically, the largest component of the federal tax system, ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. R48314 |
Title
The California Cap-and-Trade Program: Overview and Considerations for Congress December 18, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R48314 SUMMARY The California Cap-and-Trade Program: Overview and Considerations for Congress California s cap-and-trade program, launched in 2013, is one example of a market-based, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction policy adopted ...
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| Date Dec. 18, 2024 |
Report No. TE10108 |
Title
Statement of Jonathan M. Gaffney Section Research Manager Before Veterans' Affairs Committee U.S. House of Representatives Hearing on Restoring Congressional Power over VA After Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo December 18, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov TE10108 Congressional Research Service 1 Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and Members of the ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF11451 |
Title
Updated December 17, 2024 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Introduction Congress enacted the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in 1978. FISA provides a statutory framework for government agencies to obtain authorization to gather foreign intelligence by means of (1) electronic surveillance, (2) physical searches, (3) pen registers and trap and trace (PR/TT) devices (which ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF11150 |
Title
Updated December 17, 2024 Defense Primer: U.S. Policy on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems Lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) are a special class of weapon systems that use sensor suites and computer algorithms to independently identify a target and employ an onboard weapon system to engage and destroy the target without manual human control of the system. Although these systems are not yet in ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF12851 |
Title
December 17, 2024 Legislating on Cybersecurity Introduction Cybersecurity considerations for policymakers are broader than those for managing cybersecurity at an organization. When thinking strategically about how to legislate for cybersecurity, lawmakers may consider educating, recruiting, and retaining knowledgeable workers; authorizing and resourcing agencies; deterring and responding to ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF12852 |
Title
December 17, 2024 Federal Contract Set-Asides for Small Businesses Introduction Provisions of the Small Business Act authorize or, in some cases, require federal agencies to provide small businesses a preference when making a contract award. Preferences for small business contractors may take the form of contract set-asides, which may limit the competition for an award to small firms. Set-aside ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. R47747 |
Title
Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide Updated December 17, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R47747 SUMMARY Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide The Constitution allows Congress to admit New States ... into this Union. By ratifying the Constitution in 1787-1790, the 13 original states which declared independence ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF10116 |
Title
Updated December 17, 2024 Mali Once seen as a rising democracy in Africa, Mali has become an epicenter of conflicts and instability since 2011. A military junta seized power in 2020, Mali s second coup in nine years. Coups in Burkina Faso and Niger followed. Insurgents affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State have expanded their reach, and a northern separatist conflict is resurgent. The ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF10430 |
Title
Updated December 17, 2024 Panama: Country Overview and U.S. Relations Panama is strategically important to U.S. commercial and security interests, given its central location in the Americas (linking North and South America), the Panama Canal, large financial sector, and role as a transit country in regional migration. Panama has seen large-scale northward migration through the Dari n Gap, a ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF12719 |
Title
Updated December 17, 2024 Smithsonian Institution: Selected Legislation, 118th Congress The Smithsonian Institution is a complex of museum, education, research, and revenue-generating entities primarily located in the Washington, DC, region, with additional facilities and activities across the United States and world. This In Focus discusses proposed legislation to authorize new facilities, ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. IF12853 |
Title
December 17, 2024 Sole-Source Contracts for Small Businesses Introduction Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Provisions of the Small Business Act authorize (and, in some cases, require) federal agencies to provide small businesses a preference when making a contract award. Preferences for small business contractors may take the form of contract set-asides, which may limit the ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. R47959 |
Title
Proposals to Amend the U.S. Constitution: Fact Sheet Updated December 17, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R47959 SUMMARY Proposals to Amend the U.S. Constitution: Fact Sheet This report provides brief background information and resources for locating historical, recent, and current proposed and unratified amendments to the Constitution of the United States. It ...
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| Date Dec. 17, 2024 |
Report No. RS22478 |
Title
Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress Updated December 17, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RS22478 Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress Summary Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain ...
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| Date Dec. 16, 2024 |
Report No. IF11722 |
Title
Updated December 16, 2024 House of Representatives Vacancies: How Are They Filled? Vacancies in the office of U.S. Representative occur when an incumbent Member dies, resigns, or leaves office for any reason before the end of their term. Multiple special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives typically take place in each Congress, through processes established by the state ...
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| Date Dec. 16, 2024 |
Report No. IF11662 |
Title
Updated December 16, 2024 U.S. Nuclear Weapons Tests The United States has observed a voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing since 1992, although it has maintained the ability to resume these tests at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). Since 1993, it has used a program known as Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship to maintain confidence in the safety, security, and effectiveness ...
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| Date Dec. 16, 2024 |
Report No. IF12274 |
Title
Updated December 16, 2024 Defense Spending and Your District Defense spending touches every Member of Congress s district through pay and benefits for military servicemembers and retirees, economic and environmental impact of installations, and procurement of weapons systems and parts from local industry, among other activities. This product is intended to familiarize Members with the scope of ...
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| Date Dec. 16, 2024 |
Report No. IF12850 |
Title
December 16, 2024 Millennium Challenge Corporation Overview The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent agency established in 2004 by the Millennium Challenge Act (Title VI of Division D, P.L. 108-199). It was created amid intense congressional debate over U.S. foreign aid effectiveness. MCC reflects some views that emerged from that debate, with features such as the following: ...
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