The U.S. federal government significantly impacts citizens' daily lives. It influences the economy via taxes and monetary policy, affects safety and rights through law enforcement and the judicial system, and regulates essential services like Social Security, Medicare, and public education funding. It also governs daily activities through infrastructure, food and drug safety standards, and environmental protections. Overall, the federal government plays a central role in shaping the conditions in which Americans live, work, and interact.
Government documents are critical to ensuring citizens have the tools needed to stay informed and engaged. Government transparency and accountability relies on a well informed citizenry.
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In the news: |
Tomato recall affecting 3 states elevated to risk of death by FDA – NBC News – 3 Jun 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Williams Farms Repack LLC Recalls Tomatoes Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination (company announcement) – FDA – 2 May 2025 FDA Enforcement Report – FDA – 28 May 2025 FDA Enforcement Report API – FDA – generate reports as needed |
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In the news: |
Trump has no plan for who will grow US food: ‘There is just flat out nobody to work’ – Guardian – 28 May 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 – Congress.gov – 11 Jun 1986 |
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In the news: |
Congress moves to loosen toxic air pollution rules – NPR – 22 May 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Clean Air Act Text – EPA – 2025 |
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In the news: |
The GOP Tax Bill Will Add $2.3 Trillion to the Deficit, CBO Says – Reason – 21 May 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Estimated Budgetary Effects of a Bill to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Title II of H. Con. Res. 14, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – CBO – 20 May 2025 H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act – Congress.gov – 21 May 2025 |
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In the news: |
Trump Writes Congress out of the Constitution—and Congress Says Fine – The New Republic – 14 May 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect… – LOC – 1787 Constitution Annotated, Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 – Constitution.Congress.gov – (accessed) 15 May 2025 The Emoluments Clauses of the U.S. Constitution – CRS – 27 Jan 2021 |
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In the news: |
Musk Adviser May Make as Much as $1 Million a Year While Helping to Dismantle Agency that Regulates Tesla and X – ProPublica – 14 May 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 5, Chapter XVI, SubCh B, Part 2635, SubP E, § 2635.502 Personal and business relationships – National Archives – 12 May 2025 |
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In the news: |
What to do if you don't have a REAL ID yet, and which documents still work – NPR – 6 May 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint – TSA – 7 May 2025 H.R.418 - REAL ID Act of 2005 – Congress.gov – 2 Oct 2005 |
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In the news: |
US economy shrinks in first quarter as tariffs unleash flood of imports – Reuters – 30 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Gross Domestic Product – BEA – 30 Apr 2025 |
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In the news: |
Decision looming for Trump administration on first PFAS drinking water limits – AP – 29 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant resource(s): |
Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation – EPA – 10 Apr 2024 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – EPA – 10 Apr 2024 |
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In the news: |
Supreme Court to hear school disability discrimination case – NPR – 28 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant document(s): |
H.R.1350 - Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 – U.S. Congress – 3 Dec 2004 The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Funding: A Primer – CRS – 29 Aug 2019 |
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In the news: |
What to know as the government begins collections on defaulted student debt – NPR – 23 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant document(s): |
IDR Plan Court Actions: Impact on Borrowers – Federal Student Aid – 26 Mar 2025
Manage and Repay Your Federal Student Loans – Federal Student Aid (U.S. Dept of Education)
Calculate Your Federal Student Loan Repayment Options with Loan Simulator – Federal Student Aid (U.S. Dept of Education) |
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In the news: |
Trump Team Eyes Politically Connected Startup to Overhaul $700 Billion Government Payments Program – ProPublica.org – 17 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant document(s): |
Government Purchase Cards: Little Evidence of Potential Fraud Found in Small Purchases, but Documentation Issues Exist – GAO – 14 Feb 2017
GSA Charge Card Pilot Project – SAM.gov – 20 Mar 2025 |
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In the news: |
Claiming autism ‘epidemic,’ RFK Jr. describes NIH initiative to find environmental causes – Science.org – 16 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant document: |
Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years – CDC – 17 Apr 2025 |
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In the news: |
US Army to control land on Mexico border as part of base, migrants could be detained, officials say – AP – 14 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant document: |
The Posse Comitatus Act and Related Matters – CRS – 1 Jun 2000 |
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In the news: |
Parks Group Responds to Ongoing Efforts to Rewrite, Erase American History – NPCA – 7 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant document: |
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998 – Congress – 21 Jul 1998 |
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In the news: |
‘Really scared’: Parents of kids with disabilities confront Education Department chaos – Louisiana Illuminator – 4 Apr 2025 |
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Relevant document: |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 – Congress – 3 Dec 2004 |
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In the news: |
'Going to be a lot of hungry people': Food banks, farmers across US decry federal cuts – USA Today – 31 Mar 2025 |
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Relevant document: |
Farm and Food Support Under USDA’s Section 32 Account – CRS – 5 Sep 2023 |
