The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual U.S. congressional statute that authorizes funding levels and policy provisions for the U.S. Department of Defense.
January 01, 2026
high
temporal
Describes the recurring legislative vehicle used by Congress to set defense funding and policy.
Some U.S. lawmakers believe that reallocating tariff revenues to finance direct payments to Americans would require authorization from Congress.
November 20, 2025
high
policy
Lawmakers question whether the executive branch can use tariff revenue to issue direct payments without legislative approval.
Permanent reassignment or codification of a federal department's statutory responsibilities generally requires approval by the U.S. Congress, while agencies can administratively transfer or contract out some duties to other federal agencies.
November 19, 2025
high
temporal
General principle about how federal agencies may reassign duties and when congressional authorization is typically required.
Proposals in the U.S. Congress to federally preempt state laws on artificial intelligence have previously failed due to bipartisan criticism.
November 18, 2025
high
temporal
Describes legislative history regarding efforts to create a single federal standard that would override state AI regulations.
If both chambers of the U.S. Congress approve a measure to release materials, the President must sign that measure for it to become law.
November 16, 2025
high
temporal
General federal legislative process for measures passed by both the House and Senate.
The age and length of service of members of the U.S. Congress are recurring subjects of debate across political parties about how long legislators should continue in office.
November 10, 2025
high
general
Refers to an ongoing normative and political debate about legislative tenure and age.
The U.S. Migration and Refugee Assistance account was established by the U.S. Congress to respond to humanitarian crises.
November 10, 2025
high
temporal
Purpose and legislative origin of a U.S. foreign assistance account.
The U.S. Congress must enact 12 annual appropriations bills to fully fund the federal government for a fiscal year.
November 10, 2025
high
temporal
Federal funding for the U.S. government is typically organized across 12 appropriations bills that together cover the full fiscal year.
The U.S. Congress funds the federal government through annual appropriations bills, and when regular appropriations are not enacted it can pass continuing resolutions to temporarily extend government funding.
November 10, 2025
high
procedural
Describes the federal budgeting and short-term funding mechanism.
The AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act would require covered entities, including major companies and federal agencies, to quarterly disclose AI-related job effects such as layoffs, hires, and positions left open because tasks were automated to the U.S. Department of Labor.
November 09, 2025
high
policy
Core reporting requirements specified by the proposed legislation to track how AI affects employment.
The U.S. Congress can end a federal government shutdown by passing individual appropriations bills or a short-term continuing resolution that funds some agencies immediately and extends funding for others until a later date.
November 07, 2025
high
procedural
Describes legislative mechanisms used to restore government funding during a shutdown.
Legislative negotiations can decouple government funding from specific policy changes by using one bill to reopen the government and scheduling a separate, later vote on issues such as extending expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
November 07, 2025
high
legislative
Describes a common negotiation strategy in Congress to separate funding votes from policy votes.
A continuing resolution (CR) is a stopgap funding measure used to keep the federal government funded when full-year appropriations bills have not been enacted.
November 05, 2025
high
definition
CRs are temporary funding measures in the U.S. federal budget process.
Use of U.S. military force abroad without explicit authorization from the U.S. Congress commonly raises legal and oversight questions among U.S. lawmakers.
November 05, 2025
high
temporal
Congressional authorization is a central element of U.S. legal and oversight frameworks governing the use of military force.
A continuing resolution is a short-term funding measure enacted by the U.S. Congress to temporarily fund federal government operations when Congress has not enacted full-year appropriations bills.
November 04, 2025
high
definition
Continuing resolutions are used to avoid or delay a funding lapse while appropriations are completed.
The regular appropriations process in the U.S. Congress involves passing 12 separate full-year appropriations bills; alternatives to that regular order include consolidating funding into a single year-end omnibus bill or using a continuing resolution.
November 04, 2025
high
procedural
Describes standard versus alternative approaches to federal funding legislation.
In 2025, the heads of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) reported to the U.S. Congress that some unidentified drones observed in United States airspace may have been conducting surveillance.
November 03, 2025
high
temporal
U.S. defense assessment about unidentified drones
Allegations of inhumane conditions at immigration detention facilities can prompt federal litigation, draw scrutiny from members of Congress and political actors, and lead to public demonstrations and separate legal claims (including claims involving First Amendment rights).
November 03, 2025
high
legal
Describes common institutional and civic responses to reported conditions at immigration detention sites.
In U.S. legislative practice, 'rifle-shot' funding bills refer to piecemeal appropriations that aim to fund specific parts or functions of the federal government rather than providing funding to reopen the entire government.
October 30, 2025
high
temporal
Describes a common legislative approach used as an alternative to full-year or omnibus appropriations.
A U.S. congressional war powers resolution can be used to prohibit military strikes in or near a foreign country unless Congress authorizes the military action.
October 30, 2025
high
legal/process
Describes a legislative mechanism by which Congress can limit executive military actions.
In U.S. federal appropriations practice, a "rifle shot" is a targeted, standalone appropriations bill that funds a specific part of the federal government rather than reopening the entire government.
October 29, 2025
high
temporal
Describes a legislative tactic used during federal government funding disputes or shutdowns.
There is an ongoing political and legal debate in the United States about the limits of the president's authority to use military force without explicit congressional authorization.
October 29, 2025
high
temporal
Debate concerns presidential war powers and whether Congress must approve certain military actions.
States can petition the U.S. Congress to call a constitutional convention to consider a possible amendment, and that state-petition convention process has never occurred in U.S. history.
October 28, 2025
high
temporal
Describes an alternative Article V mechanism for proposing constitutional amendments and its historical nonuse.
U.S. congressional rules bar lawmakers from making political statements or solicitations on United States Capitol grounds.
October 22, 2025
high
temporal
Ethics and facility-use rules restrict political campaigning and solicitations on Capitol property.
Undisclosed or minimally disclosed military strikes prompted by counter-narcotics goals can generate concerns among members of the U.S. Congress about transparency and the legal authority for such actions.
October 21, 2025
high
temporal
Reflects a recurring governance dynamic where congressional oversight questions arise when military actions are not fully disclosed.
Some legislative proposals during U.S. federal government shutdowns propose using government funding to provide backpay and ongoing wages to military servicemembers and essential federal workers.
October 20, 2025
high
policy
Describes a common legislative approach to mitigate pay disruptions for certain categories of federal personnel during shutdowns.
Some legislative proposals addressing pay during U.S. federal government shutdowns would compensate only federal employees who are not furloughed, excluding furloughed employees from immediate pay protections.
October 20, 2025
high
policy
Highlights a policy design distinction that can affect which federal workers receive pay during shutdowns.
A common legislative tactic is to attach or combine multiple appropriations measuresâsuch as adding other spending bills to a defense appropriations billâto advance government funding.
October 16, 2025
high
procedural
Combining appropriations measures can be used to build broader coalitions or expedite passage of funding packages.
The U.S. Congress funds federal government operations through annual appropriations bills, and lawmakers can use full-year regular-order appropriations bills or standalone appropriations bills to fund specific departments or portions of the government separately.
October 15, 2025
high
procedural
Regular-order appropriations refer to the standard process of passing full-year funding for departments; standalone bills can fund individual agencies or functions outside that package.
The Federal Reserve has a dual mandate from the U.S. Congress to promote maximum employment and stable prices.
October 14, 2025
high
temporal
U.S. central bank statutory objectives used to guide policy decisions.
The U.S. Congress can pass resolutions to designate national days of remembrance.
October 14, 2025
high
procedural
Legislative mechanism for creating commemorative observances
A common legislative tactic in the U.S. Congress is for the House of Representatives to pass a funding bill and adjourn to put pressure on the Senate to accept the bill, a practice sometimes described as 'jamming the other chamber'.
October 10, 2025
high
process
Describes a recurring procedural strategy used between the two chambers of Congress regarding funding legislation.
The U.S. federal budget process uses twelve annual appropriations bills to fund government operations, and when those bills are not enacted before funding expires, Congress commonly passes short-term continuing resolutions (stopgap measures) to temporarily extend funding.
October 10, 2025
high
procedural
Continuing resolutions are temporary funding measures used to avoid immediate shutdowns when regular appropriations are not completed.
When regular appropriations are not enacted, the U.S. Congress can pass continuing resolutions to temporarily fund the federal government for a specified period.
October 09, 2025
high
procedural
Continuing resolutions (CRs) are short-term funding measures used to keep government operations running.
Congressional appropriations can be enacted as standalone bills that fund specific parts of the federal government, such as a defense appropriations bill.
October 09, 2025
high
procedural
Appropriations are divided into separate bills that can be passed individually to fund distinct agencies or functions.
A continuing resolution is a temporary funding measure that Congress can use to fund the federal government short term when regular appropriations bills have not been enacted.
October 08, 2025
high
temporal
Explains the legislative mechanism used to avoid funding gaps.
A continuing resolution (CR) is a temporary funding measure that Congress can pass to keep federal government operations funded until a specified future date when regular appropriations are enacted.
October 08, 2025
high
definition
Explains the purpose and function of a continuing resolution in federal budgeting.
A continuing resolution (CR) is temporary federal legislation used by the U.S. Congress to maintain existing federal funding levels roughly flat for a specified short-term period.
October 08, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the purpose and function of a continuing resolution in U.S. federal budgeting.
Members of the U.S. Congress can introduce and vote on resolutions intended to limit the president's authority to use military force.
October 08, 2025
high
procedural
Describes a legislative mechanism for checking presidential use of military force.
Federal government shutdowns can result in parts of Congress not being in regular session, which can limit congressional actions such as swearing in members and holding votes on appropriations.
October 08, 2025
high
procedural
When the federal government is shut down, congressional scheduling and the ability to conduct certain types of business can be constrained.
Federal appropriations bills become law only after they have been passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President.
October 08, 2025
high
procedural
Basic constitutional requirement for congressional enactment of appropriations.
Appropriations bills can be packaged together into combined measures rather than considered as standalone bills, and bundling such bills can change negotiating leverage during government funding or shutdown negotiations.
October 08, 2025
high
structural
Legislative strategy in budgeting and appropriations where multiple spending bills are combined into omnibus or minibus packages.
Uncertain congressional funding and federal hiring freezes can impede the Census Bureau's ability to finalize staffing plans and recruit sufficient temporary workers for decennial census tests.
October 06, 2025
high
procedural
Budgetary and personnel constraints that affect preparation for census field operations.
A federal government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to enact funding by the statutory deadline, which leads to suspension of non-essential federal services and furloughs while many essential federal employees and active-duty service members may be required to continue working without pay.
October 06, 2025
high
temporal
General description of how U.S. federal funding lapses affect operations and staffing.
A continuing resolution (CR) is a short-term funding measure used to keep the federal government open temporarily while Congress completes the appropriations process.
October 05, 2025
high
procedural
Explains the purpose and use of continuing resolutions in federal budgeting.
The appropriations process is the standard congressional procedure by which the U.S. Congress allocates funding to federal agencies, programs, and operations.
October 05, 2025
high
procedural
Defines the role of the appropriations process in federal funding.
A 2025 CBS News poll found that about half of self-identified Democrats said their party's positions were worth a government shutdown, fewer self-identified Republicans said the same about the GOP, and both major parties had net-negative (underwater) favorability ratings with Republicans slightly more favorable than Democrats.
October 05, 2025
high
statistical
Public-opinion polling on partisan support for a government shutdown and party favorability.
A rescission is an action to revoke previously enacted congressional appropriations, i.e., to claw back funding that Congress has already approved.
October 05, 2025
high
definition
Rescissions are a budgetary mechanism for reversing or reducing prior appropriations.
Congressional reconciliation is a legislative procedure used to advance budget-related bills and can be used to pursue deficit reduction, modify tax credits, and change entitlement programs such as Medicaid.
October 05, 2025
high
procedural
Reconciliation is commonly employed to enact fiscal and entitlement changes that are tied to the budget process.
A continuing resolution (CR) is a stopgap legislative measure used by the U.S. Congress to temporarily extend existing federal spending levels for a specified period when regular appropriations bills have not been enacted.
October 03, 2025
high
temporal
Defines the CR mechanism as a temporary funding measure when regular appropriations are not passed.
Regular federal funding is typically enacted through twelve annual, singleâsubject appropriations bills (the regular appropriations process).
October 03, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the standard structure of the U.S. appropriations process.
U.S. federal law establishes statutory conditions that must be met before the military can be used for domestic operations, including conditions related to whether regular law enforcement forces are able to enforce the law.
October 01, 2025
high
legal
Describes the legal framework governing domestic use of military forces in the United States.
The U.S. Congress can repeal presidential tariff actions by passing joint resolutions.
September 30, 2025
high
temporal
Legislative mechanism whereby Congress can overturn or modify executive trade actions.
Chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees can publicly oppose executive-branch decisions to change overseas troop levels and assert that Congress should be consulted on troop deployments.
September 30, 2025
high
temporal
Oversight role of congressional armed services committees regarding U.S. military posture and deployments.
Members of Congress commonly expect bipartisan briefings from the White House on military operations and view such briefings as important for oversight.
September 30, 2025
high
temporal
Norms around congressional oversight and information-sharing for national security actions.
A report produced for the U.S. Congress in August 2025 estimated that 705 Somali migrants nationwide were covered by Temporary Protected Status.
August 01, 2025
high
temporal
Estimated count of Somali nationals covered by TPS according to a congressional report.
Continuing resolutions (short-term funding bills) are a mechanism used by the U.S. Congress to temporarily fund federal operations and avoid government shutdowns.
January 01, 2025
high
procedural
Legislative tool to maintain government funding for a limited period.
A law passed by the U.S. Congress in April 2024 required TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban.
April 01, 2024
high
legal
U.S. congressional legislation from April 2024 imposed divestiture-or-ban requirements on ByteDance regarding TikTok's U.S. operations.
A 2024 U.S. congressional bill introduced by Representatives Vern Buchanan and Jared Moskowitz would make it a crime to import, transport, buy, sell, distribute, or possess a sex doll that resembles a child.
February 01, 2024
high
temporal
Legislative proposal to criminalize activities involving sex dolls that resemble children.
In 2021, the U.S. Congress temporarily expanded eligibility for enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act to help people pay for health insurance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 01, 2021
high
temporal
A legislative, temporary expansion of ACA premium subsidy eligibility tied to pandemic-era relief.
Congress enacted federal emergency subsidies in 2021 to reduce Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) health insurance premiums as part of the COVID-19 response.
January 01, 2021
high
temporal
These emergency measures expanded premium tax credits under the ACA.
Under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, the U.S. executive branch can issue temporary waivers for the sanctions, while only the U.S. Congress can permanently repeal or cancel the sanctions.
June 01, 2020
high
descriptive
Description of the law's governance and the respective roles of the executive branch and Congress regarding sanctions relief.
An amendment to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 on January 25, 2019 added language stating that compensation for furloughed employees is 'subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.'
January 25, 2019
high
temporal
The amendment introduced a condition linking payment for furloughed employees to subsequent appropriations acts.
After the January 2019 lapse in appropriations, the U.S. Congress enacted a law guaranteeing that federal employees receive back pay at the earliest possible date after a lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates.
January 25, 2019
high
legal
Legislative guarantee concerning federal employee pay following funding lapses
In 2017, the United States and Qatar finalized a $12 billion agreement for F-15QA fighter aircraft that was part of a broader package approved by the U.S. Congress and valued at up to $21.1 billion in U.S. foreign military sales to Qatar.
January 01, 2017
high
temporal
Long-term U.S.-Qatar defense procurement and foreign military sales.
The U.S. Congress codified the United States' commitment to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge (QME) into law in 2008.
January 01, 2008
high
temporal
Legal basis for U.S. policy aimed at preserving Israel's military qualitative advantage in the region.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program was created by the U.S. Congress in 2007 to encourage college graduates to work in lower-paying public sector jobs.
January 01, 2007
high
temporal
Origin and purpose of the PSLF program.
Nancy Pelosi became the first woman to lead a major party in either chamber of the U.S. Congress when she was elected House Democratic Minority Leader in 2002.
January 01, 2002
high
temporal
First female leader of a major party in the U.S. Congress.
After the al-Qaida attacks on September 11, 2001, the U.S. Congress passed an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that granted the President authority to use the U.S. military against the terrorist group responsible for those attacks.
September 11, 2001
high
historical-legal
Legal precedent for congressional authorization enabling presidential use of military force against al-Qaida.
A congressional authorization enacted in 1991 provided legal authorization for the use of U.S. military force during the Gulf War.
January 01, 1991
high
temporal
Historical statutory authorization connected to U.S. involvement in the 1990â1991 Gulf War.
The H-1B visa program was created by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to attract foreign workers in technical fields such as engineering.
January 01, 1990
high
historical
Describes the origin and purpose of the H-1B visa program.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) was created by an act of Congress in 1990 with bipartisan support.
January 01, 1990
high
temporal
SIJS is a federal immigration classification for certain abused, neglected, or abandoned children and youth.
The U.S. Congress created the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program in 1990 to prevent deportations of people to countries experiencing natural disasters, civil strife, or other dangerous conditions.
January 01, 1990
high
temporal
Origin and purpose of the TPS immigration program.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was created by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to allow temporary work authorization and protection from deportation for nationals of countries facing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other emergencies that make return unsafe.
January 01, 1990
high
temporal
U.S. federal immigration program that grants temporary relief and work authorization
Created by the U.S. Congress in 1990, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a program that allows U.S. administrations to grant temporary work authorization and protection from deportation to nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or another emergency that makes return unsafe.
January 01, 1990
high
temporal
Definition and purpose of the U.S. Temporary Protected Status program
Nancy Pelosi advocated in Congress for HIV/AIDS policy changes and for increased funding related to the HIV/AIDS response.
January 01, 1987
high
policy
Pelosi's longstanding policy focus on HIV/AIDS during her congressional career.
A government shutdown occurs when the U.S. Congress fails to approve funding for federal agencies.
January 01, 1980
high
definition
Basic definition of a federal government shutdown.
The War Powers Resolution is a 1973 federal law that requires a president who unilaterally deploys U.S. forces into hostilities to terminate the operation after 60 days if Congress has not authorized the deployment.
November 07, 1973
high
temporal
Statutory framework governing presidential deployments of U.S. armed forces without prior congressional authorization.
The War Powers Resolution requires the president to submit a required 48-hour notice to Congress, and the 60-day statutory clock for terminating an unauthorized deployment begins no later than when that 48-hour notice is submitted.
November 07, 1973
high
temporal
Timing mechanism in the War Powers Resolution for congressional notification and the start of the 60-day limit.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution establishes that the U.S. Congress has the authority to manage the federal budget and holds the 'power of the purse.'
September 17, 1787
high
legal
Constitutional allocation of budgetary authority.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines "individual-based decision-making" for vaccination as vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making between patients or caregivers and health care providers, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.
high
policy_definition
Definition of an approach to vaccination decision-making used in immunization guidelines.
In U.S. federal budget and appropriations practice, parties sometimes condition reopening government funding on whether policy issues (such as entitlement or subsidy changes) will be negotiated before or after a short-term funding measure.
high
process
Describes a recurring negotiation dynamic in U.S. congressional funding standoffs.
A continuing resolution (CR) is a temporary appropriations measure that the United States Congress can pass to provide short-term funding for federal agencies and avoid a government shutdown.
high
process
Describes the legislative tool used to temporarily fund the federal government when regular appropriations are not enacted.
The U.S. Constitution assigns certain war and national-defense authorities to the executive branch under Article II and vests Congress with the constitutional authority to make decisions about war and peace, including declaring war.
high
legal
General constitutional allocation of war powers in the U.S. government.
Under federal conflict-of-interest law, members of the U.S. Congress are required to timely disclose stock trades.
high
legal
Disclosure of financial transactions by members of Congress is mandated by federal conflict-of-interest rules.
A failure by the U.S. Congress to enact a federal spending bill can trigger a federal government shutdown.
high
procedural
Explains the legislative mechanism that leads to a lapse in appropriations and a government shutdown.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Washington office serves as the agency's channel for communications with the U.S. Congress.
high
descriptive
Describes the role of the CDC's Washington office in congressional communications.
U.S. congressional committees have the authority to issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify and to compel the production of documents.
high
legal
Congressional oversight and investigative powers.
U.S. courts have evaluated whether federal law allows Congress to limit the amount political parties may spend in coordination with the candidates they support under campaign finance rules.
high
legal
Campaign finance law concerning coordination between political parties and candidates.
Annual appropriations bills passed by the U.S. Congress are required to fund federal government operations, and failure to pass those appropriations by the start of the fiscal year can result in a federal government shutdown.
high
temporal
Background on how federal funding is provided and what triggers a shutdown.
In U.S. appropriations practice, a 'minibus' is a legislative package that combines multiple appropriations bills into a single measure.
high
procedural
Minibus packages are an alternative to passing individual appropriations bills or a single large omnibus bill, and can be used to expedite enactment of funding for grouped areas.
Each year, the U.S. Congress must pass legislation to fund the federal government for the coming fiscal year.
high
temporal
Describes the recurring annual requirement for federal funding legislation.
The federal appropriations process is organized around 12 full-year appropriations bills that together fund different parts of the U.S. government.
high
procedural
Baseline description of how full-year federal funding is structured.
When Congress does not complete the regular appropriations process before funding deadlines, lawmakers commonly pass temporary stopgap measures (continuing resolutions) to keep the government funded while full-year bills are finalized.
high
procedural
Explains the routine use of short-term funding measures to avoid gaps in government funding.
The U.S. Congress passes an annual defense appropriations bill to allocate funding for the Department of Defense.
high
procedural
Describes the routine appropriations process for defense funding in the U.S. federal budget cycle.
The U.S. Constitution grants the U.S. Congress the authority to declare war.
high
temporal
Fundamental allocation of war-declaring authority in the U.S. federal system.
The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war.
high
legal
Constitutional allocation of war-declaring authority between branches of the U.S. federal government.
The U.S. Congress can pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to authorize the use of U.S. military forces.
high
legal
Legislative mechanism for Congress to authorize military operations.
The War Powers Resolution is a statutory mechanism that Congress can invoke to seek to limit or terminate the President's engagement of U.S. armed forces in hostilities without a specific Congressional authorization.
high
legal
Congressional oversight tool related to the President's use of military force.
Expiration of enhanced health insurance premium tax credits can lead to increases in health insurance premiums for enrollees if those credits are not extended.
high
policy
Premium tax credits lower net premiums for enrollees; removing or allowing those credits to expire increases out-of-pocket premium costs.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress to further historic preservation policy in the United States.
high
institutional
Describes the institutional purpose and congressional charter status of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The U.S. Constitution allocates authority over election regulations to the U.S. Congress and to the states.
high
legal
Allocation of regulatory authority for elections under the U.S. constitutional framework.
The U.S. Department of Defense has an Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs whose role includes coordinating legislative affairs and communications between the Department of Defense and the U.S. Congress.
high
organizational
Describes the DoD office responsible for managing legislative liaison and communications with Congress.
U.S. congressional committees, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have authority to hold oversight hearings to examine executive-branch military or foreign-policy operations.
high
procedural
Oversight hearings are a routine congressional tool for reviewing executive actions related to foreign policy and military operations.
The U.S. Constitution assigns the power to declare war to the United States Congress rather than the President.
high
legal
Constitutional allocation of authority to initiate formal war.
The U.S. Congress negotiates legislation to structure law for the cryptocurrency market.
high
temporal
Legislative process related to crypto regulation.
U.S. military organizations are generally permitted to accept private donations to support institutions such as military schools, libraries, and museums, or to assist service members or civilian employees who are wounded or killed in the line of duty, and changing those acceptance restrictions would require congressional action.
high
policy
Legal limits and permissible uses for private donations to military entities.
A decades-old law allows the U.S. Congress to block a president's emergency powers.
high
legal
Congressional mechanism to override or terminate presidential emergency declarations.
Members of the U.S. Congress commonly request the legal basis for executive-ordered military strikes and expect legal counsel to be present during classified or sensitive briefings on such strikes.
high
temporal
Describes a recurring congressional practice and expectation when receiving briefings about military actions.
U.S. lawmakers across party lines sometimes criticize executive branch use of lethal force when those actions proceed without explicit authorization from Congress.
high
temporal
Reflects a recurring constitutional and oversight tension between Congress and the executive over use of military force.
A continuing resolution (CR) is a temporary measure used by the U.S. Congress to extend existing federal funding when regular appropriations bills have not been enacted, allowing additional time to complete the appropriations process.
high
definition
U.S. federal budgeting and appropriations process
The Department of Defense uses a central legislative affairs office to coordinate and manage interactions between Pentagon personnel and the U.S. Congress, with the stated purpose of improving accuracy, responsiveness, and transparency in communications.
high
procedural
Describes an organizational procedure for how the Department of Defense channels congressional communications.
A 'minibus' is a congressional appropriations package that bundles multiple individual spending bills into a single legislative package.
high
definition
Used in appropriations to combine several spending bills for consideration together.
A permanent repeal of sanctions established by U.S. legislation requires an act of the U.S. Congress.
high
institutional
Legislative requirement for repealing federally enacted sanctions.
Rebates and stimulus payments in the United States are typically issued through the tax code and require Congress to pass legislation authorizing the U.S. Department of the Treasury to disburse checks to individuals.
high
procedural
Describes the standard legislative and administrative mechanism used to deliver rebate or stimulus payments in the U.S.
The U.S. Congress' annual federal appropriations process is composed of 12 individual appropriations bills that can be combined into larger legislative vehicles commonly referred to as 'minibuses'.
high
institutional
Describes the structure of the congressional appropriations process and the use of combined legislative vehicles.
The U.S. Congress's annual appropriations process is organized as twelve individual appropriations bills.
high
structural
Describes the standard structure of the federal appropriations process.
U.S. congressional appropriations are commonly organized into separate, subject-specific appropriations bills that fund areas such as agriculture and food and drug administration programs; veterans and military construction; and the legislative branch.
high
process
Describes the typical organization of federal appropriations into individual bills covering distinct policy areas.
The U.S. Congress can pass temporary funding legislation that funds the federal government through a specified date and can reverse federal layoffs that occurred during a shutdown.
high
process
Describes a legislative mechanism used to end or mitigate the effects of a government shutdown.
A number of members of the U.S. Congress actively trade individual stocks and currencies.
high
practice
Members' private trading activity has prompted scrutiny and proposals for reform.
The U.S. Congress can vote on and pass legislation that would compel the Department of Justice to release specified agency records or files.
high
procedural
Reflects the legislative authority to require executive-branch agencies to produce records through statute.
The U.S. Congress can include federal preemption language in federal legislation (for example, an annual appropriations or authorization bill) to block state-level AI rules and create a single federal regulatory standard for AI.
high
descriptive
Federal preemption is a durable legislative mechanism by which Congress can override or standardize state regulations on a subject.
The U.S. Congress can refer individuals or investigative targets to the U.S. Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, and the Department of Justice is not legally obligated to pursue charges in response to such referrals.
high
legal
Institutional practice regarding congressional referrals to the DOJ.
The U.S. Congress has the authority to hold individuals in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas or refusing to testify before congressional committees.
high
legal
Congressional enforcement mechanism for noncooperation with investigations.
Members of Congress can file amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court to urge the Court to rule in specific cases.
high
general
Legislative participation in judicial proceedings through thirdâparty briefs
A U.S. law can compel the U.S. Department of Justice and the Attorney General to produce case files and internal communications from federal investigations.
high
legal
Describes the legal authority of legislation to require disclosure of federal investigative records and internal communications.
House rules changes can only be adopted at the start of a new U.S. Congress, and suspending House rules during an ongoing Congress generally requires approval by a two-thirds majority vote.
high
procedural
Describes the timing and vote threshold for changing or suspending rules of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Only the United States Congress has the authority to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.
high
administrative
Legal authority over the existence of federal executive departments.
In the U.S. federal legislative process, revenue measures typically originate in the House of Representatives.
high
procedural
Constitutional and chamber-practice norm that revenue-originating authority lies with the lower chamber.