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Digital Services Taxes (DSTs): Policy and Economic Analysis [February 25, 2019]

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"Several countries, primarily in Europe, and the European Commission have proposed or adopted taxes on revenue earned by multinational corporations (MNCs) in certain 'digital economy' sectors from activities linked to the user-based activity of their residents. These proposals have generally been labeled as 'digital services taxes' (DSTs). For example, beginning in 2019, Spain is imposing a DST of 3% on online advertising, online marketplaces, and data transfer service (i.e., revenue from sales of user activities) within Spain. Only firms with €750 million in worldwide revenue and €3 million in revenues with users in Spain are to be subject to the tax. [...] This report traces the emergence of DSTs from multilateral tax negotiations in recent years, addresses various purported policy justifications of DSTs, provides an economic analysis of their effects, and raises several issues for Congress."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean

2019-02-25
COVID-19 Stimulus Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated March 30, 2020]

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From the Document: "This report provides a brief description of the SBA's [U.S. Small Business Administration] programs, examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007-2009), and discusses legislation to assist small businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including: [1] P.L. 116-123, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020, which provided the SBA an additional $20 million for SBA disaster assistance administrative expenses and deemed the coronavirus to be a disaster under the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This change made economic injury from the coronavirus an eligible EIDL expense. [and 2] P.L. 116-136, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which, among other provisions, created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide 'covered loans' with a 100% SBA loan guarantee, a maximum term of 10 years, and an interest rate not to exceed 4% to assist small businesses, small 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and small 501(c)(19) veterans organizations that have been adversely affected by COVID-19. The act also provides for loan deferment and forgiveness under specified conditions. A 'covered loan' is defined as a loan made to an eligible recipient from February 15, 2020, through June 30, 2020."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean; Lindsay, Bruce R.

2020-03-30
COVID-19 Stimulus Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated April 2, 2020]

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From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters to assist their recovery from natural disasters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs to enhance small business access to capital; small business management and technical assistance training programs to assist business formation and expansion; and contracting programs to increase small business opportunities in federal contracting. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy, including productivity losses, supply chain disruptions, major labor dislocation, and significant financial pressure on both businesses and households."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean

2020-04-02
SBA Veterans Assistance Programs: An Analysis of Contemporary Issues [Updated March 6, 2020]

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From the Summary: "Several federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide training and other assistance to veterans seeking civilian employment. For example, the Department of Defense (DOD), in cooperation with the SBA, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, and several other federal agencies, operates the Transition Goals Plans Success program (Transition GPS), which provides employment information and entrepreneurship training to exiting military servicemembers to assist them in transitioning from the military to the civilian labor force. In recent years, the unemployment rate among veterans as a whole has generally been similar to or lower than the unemployment rate for nonveterans 18 years and older. However, veterans who have left the military since September 2001 have experienced higher unemployment than other veterans and, in some years, higher unemployment than nonveterans. As a result, Congress has focused much of its attention on finding ways to assist veterans who have left the military since September 2001."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean

2020-03-06
SBA Veterans Assistance Programs: An Analysis of Contemporary Issues [Updated July 10, 2019]

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From the Summary: "This report opens with an examination of the economic circumstances of veteran-owned businesses drawn from the Bureau of the Census's 2012 Survey of Business Owners (SBO). It then provides a brief overview of veterans' employment experiences, comparing unemployment and labor force participation rates for veterans, veterans who have left the military since September 2001, and nonveterans. The report also describes employment assistance programs offered by several federal agencies to assist veterans in their transition from the military to the civilian labor force and examines, in greater detail, the SBA's [Small Business Association] veteran business development programs, the SBA's efforts to assist veterans' access to capital, and the SBA's veteran contracting programs. It also discusses the SBA's Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and P.L. 114-38, the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2015, which authorized and made permanent, under specified circumstances, the SBA's recent practice of waiving the SBAExpress loan program's one time, up-front loan guarantee fee for veterans (and their spouse)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean

2019-07-10
Tax Incentives for Opportunity Zones: In Brief [Updated June 28, 2019]

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From the Document: "The 2017 tax revision (P.L. 115-97) temporarily authorized Opportunity Zone (OZ) tax incentives for investments held by Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) in qualified OZs. The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund (hereinafter, the 'Fund'), organized under the Department of the Treasury, designated qualified census tracts that are eligible for OZ tax incentives after receiving recommendations from the head executives at the state level. Qualified OZ designations are in effect through 2026. The tax benefits for these investments include (1) a temporary tax deferral for capital gains reinvested in a QOF, (2) a step-up in basis for any investment in a QOF held for at least five years (10% basis increase) or seven years (15% basis increase), and (3) a permanent exclusion of capital gains from the sale or exchange of an investment in a QOF held for at least 10 years. This report briefly describes what census tracts have been designated as an OZ, what types of entities can are eligible as QOFs, the tax benefits of investments in QOFs, and what economic effects can be expected from OZ tax incentives."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean; Marples, Donald J.

2019-06-28
Kiddie Tax and Military Survivors' Benefits [Updated January 15, 2020]

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From the Document: "Some military families discovered that they owed higher taxes for 2018 and 2019 on distributions from their military survivors' benefits than they had in previous years. This change in tax treatment was related to temporary changes to the 'kiddie tax' in the 2017 tax revision (P.L. 115-97). However, Congress enacted language in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94) that repealed those temporary changes to the kiddie tax beginning in 2020. In addition, P.L. 116-94 enables taxpayers to retroactively elect to be taxed as if the kiddie tax changes in P.L. 115-97 did not apply in 2018 and 2019 (by filing an amended tax return)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean; Kamarck, Kristy N.

2020-01-15
Kiddie Tax and Military Survivors' Benefits [Updated May 24, 2019]

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From the Document: "Some military families have discovered that they owe higher taxes for 2018 on distributions from their military survivors' benefits than they had in previous years. This change in tax treatment is related to temporary changes to the 'kiddie tax' in the 2017 tax revision (P.L. 115-97)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Kamarck, Kristy N.; Lowry, Sean

2019-05-24
Materials in Support of H. Res. 24, Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for High Crimes and Misdemeanors: House Judiciary Committee Majority Staff Report

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From the Introduction: "The Constitution grants the House of Representatives the 'sole Power of Impeachment,' not merely as a safeguard for the nation between elections, but also in cases where the removal of the President is urgent and necessary to preserve the security of the constitutional order. The House must invoke this power now to impeach President Trump for inciting an insurrection on January 6, 2021. President Trump engaged in high Crimes and Misdemeanors when he urged his supporters to storm the United States Capitol Building and then failed to stop the ensuing violence. His actions marked the culmination of an extensive and unprecedented effort to overturn the results of the presidential election. As alleged in the Article of Impeachment and described in this report, President Trump has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. His continued hold on the Office of the Presidency, even for only a few more days, represents a clear and present danger to the United States. [...] Impeachment is not a punishment of prior wrongs, but a protection against future evils. It is true that the President's remaining term is limited--but a President capable of fomenting a violent insurrection in the Capitol is capable of greater dangers still. He must be removed from office as swiftly as the Constitution allows. He must also be disqualified to prevent the recurrence of the extraordinary threat he presents. For these reasons, the House must impeach President Donald J. Trump."

United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary

2021-01-12
COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated January 15, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean

2021-01-15
Inauguration Security and Operations [Updated January 8, 2021]

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From the Introduction: "Since the 20th Amendment was ratified, the oath of office for President of the United States has been administered every four years at noon on January 20. In 2021, the President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris are to be officially sworn in at noon on Wednesday, January 20. Planning for the 2021 inauguration is being challenged by the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic and the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during Congress's counting and certification of the November 2020 presidential election electoral votes. Inauguration security and operations adjustments to traditional ceremonies, customs, and practices are being made. This In Focus presents information related to 2021 inauguration security and operations based on past inaugural activities and announced activities to date. Additional security details are expected to be implemented due to the Capitol security breach. This document will be updated if they are publicly announced."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Reese, Shawn; Straus, Jacob R.; Finch, Christina Miracle

2021-01-08
Domestic Terrorism and the Attack on the U.S. Capitol [January 13, 2021]

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From the Document: "On January 6, 2021, a large group of individuals breached the U.S. Capitol security while Congress was in session. Members were voting on whether or not to certify President-elect Joe Biden's election victory, and many participants in the attack allegedly intended to thwart this effort. According to media coverage, violent participants injured scores of District of Columbia Metropolitan Police and U.S. Capitol Police officers and killed one, while four civilians have died as well. In light of this incident and the violent threat to the operation of the U.S. Congress, policymakers may be interested in whether this incident may be treated as domestic terrorism and if the participants are domestic terrorists, among other issues. This Insight discusses whether or not participants and their actions may be categorized as domestic terrorists and domestic terrorism, respectively, and issues around designating domestic fringe groups, such as the Boogaloo Bois and Proud Boys who were allegedly involved in the attack, as terrorist organizations. It concludes with possible next steps for Congress."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Sacco, Lisa N.

2021-01-13
Protection of Federal Government Officials [Updated January 8, 2021]

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From the Overview: "In the aftermath of the breach of the U.S. Capitol security on January 6, 2021--while a joint session of Congress was counting and certifying the 2020 presidential election electoral votes--and in response to increased political tension across the nation, there is renewed congressional interest in protective details for government officials. Attacks against political leaders and other public figures have been an ongoing security issue in the United States. Since the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) started protecting Presidents in 1906, seven assaults or assassination attempts have occurred, with one resulting in a death (President John F. Kennedy). Prior to USSS protection, three sitting Presidents had been assassinated (Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and William McKinley). In addition, official records and news accounts show that there have been at least 20 attacks against Members of Congress since 1789."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Reese, Shawn; Nagel, Jared C.

2021-01-08
Review of the DOD's Roles, Responsibilities, and Actions to Prepare for and Respond to the Protest and Its Aftermath at the U.S. Capitol Campus on January 6, 2021

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From the Document: "The DoD Office of Inspector General (OIG) plans to begin a multidisciplinary review in January 2021. Our objective is to determine the DoD's roles, responsibilities, and actions to prepare for, and respond to, the planned protest and its aftermath at the U.S. Capitol campus on January 6, 2021. The DoD OIG team will also request information and responses to the following questions: [1] What was requested of the DoD during the planning phase for the protest in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021? [2] What was the DoD's response to those requests? [3] What was requested of the DoD during the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021? [4] What was the DoD's response to those requests? [5] Were appropriate actions, supported by requirements, taken in accordance with laws, regulations, or other applicable guidance?"

United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Inspector General

2021-01-15
[Memorandum for the Joint Force, January 12, 2021]

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From the Document: "The American people have trusted the Armed Forces of the United States to protect them and our Constitution for almost 250 years. As we have done throughout our history, the U.S. military will obey lawful orders from civilian leadership, support civil authorities to protect lives and property, ensure public safety in accordance with the law, and remain fully committed to protecting the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The violent riot in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 was a direct assault on the U.S. Congress, the Capitol building, and our Constitutional process. We mourn the deaths of the two Capitol policemen and others connected to these unprecedented events. We witnessed actions inside the Capitol building that were inconsistent with the rule of law. The rights of freedom of speech and assembly do not give anyone the right to resort to violence, sedition, and insurrection. As Service Members, we must embody the values and ideals of the Nation. We support and defend the Constitution. Any act to disrupt the Constitutional process is not only against our traditions, values, and oath; it is against the law."

United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff

2021-01-12?
SBA Veterans Assistance Programs: An Analysis of Contemporary Issues [October 23, 2014]

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"Several federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide training and other assistance to veterans seeking civilian employment. For example, the Department of Defense, in cooperation with the Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, and several other federal agencies, including the SBA, operates the Transition Goals Plans Success program (Transition GPS), which provides employment information and entrepreneurship training to exiting military servicemembers to assist them in transitioning from the military to the civilian labor force. […] This report opens with an examination of the current economic circumstances of veteran-owned businesses drawn from the Bureau of the Census's 2007 Survey of Business Owners, which was administered in 2008 and 2009 and released on May 17, 2011. It then provides a brief overview of veterans' employment experiences, comparing unemployment and labor force participation rates for veterans, veterans who have left the military since September 2001, and nonveterans. The report describes the employment assistance programs offered by several federal agencies to assist veterans in their transition from the military to the civilian labor force and examines, in greater detail, the SBA's veteran business development programs, the SBA's efforts to assist veterans' access to capital, and the SBA's veteran contracting programs. It also discusses the SBA's Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean

2014-10-23
Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs and Funding [October 9, 2014]

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"The Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including loan guaranty and venture capital programs to enhance small business access to capital; contracting programs to increase small business opportunities in federal contracting; direct loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters to assist their recovery from natural disasters; and small business management and technical assistance training programs to assist business formation and expansion. Congressional interest in the SBA's loan, venture capital, training, and contracting programs has increased in recent years, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and assist in the national economic recovery. Many Members of Congress also regularly receive constituent inquiries about the SBA's programs. This report provides an overview of the SBA's business loan guaranty programs (including the 7(a) loan guaranty program, the 504/Certified Development Company (CDC) program, International Trade and Export Promotion Loan programs, and the Microloan program); venture capital programs (including the Small Business Investment Company program and the New Markets Venture Capital program); entrepreneurial development programs (including Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, and SCORE); government contracting and business development programs (including the 8(a) Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program, the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) program, the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program, and the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program); and capital access programs (including the Surety Bond Guarantee Program). The report also discusses programmatic changes resulting from the enactment of P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, P.L. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, P.L. 112-239, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, and P.L. 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014,. In addition, it provides an overview of the SBA's budget and references other CRS reports that examine these programs in greater detail."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean

2014-10-09
SBA Veterans Assistance Programs: An Analysis of Contemporary Issues [July 17, 2013]

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"Several federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide training and other assistance to veterans seeking civilian employment. For example, the Department of Defense, in cooperation with the Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, and several other federal agencies, including the SBA, operates the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP). Both programs provide optional employment information and training to service members within 180 days of their separation from military service, or retirement, to assist them in transitioning from the military to the civilian labor force. […] This report opens with an examination of the current economic circumstances of veteran-owned businesses drawn from the Bureau of the Census 2007 Survey of Business Owners, which was administered in 2008 and 2009, and released on May 17, 2011. It then provides a brief overview of veteran employment experiences, comparing unemployment and labor force participation rates for veterans, veterans who have left the military since September 2001, and non-veterans. The report describes the employment assistance programs offered by several federal agencies to assist veterans in their transition from the military to the civilian labor force, and examines, in greater detail, the SBA's veteran business development programs, the SBA's Patriot Express loan guarantee program, and veteran contracting programs. The SBA's Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is also discussed."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean

2013-07-17
Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs and Funding [March 20, 2014]

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"The Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including loan guaranty and venture capital programs to enhance small business access to capital; contracting programs to increase small business opportunities in federal contracting; direct loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters to assist their recovery from natural disasters; and small business management and technical assistance training programs to assist business formation and expansion. Congressional interest in the SBA's loan, venture capital, training, and contracting programs has increased in recent years, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and assist in the national economic recovery. Many Members of Congress also regularly receive constituent inquiries about the SBA's programs. This report provides an overview of the SBA's business loan guaranty programs (including the 7(a) loan guaranty program, the 504/Certified Development Company program, International Trade and Export Promotion Loan programs, and the Microloan program); venture capital programs (including the Small Business Investment Company program and the New Markets Venture Capital program); entrepreneurial development programs (including Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, and SCORE, among others); government contracting and business development programs (including the 8(a) Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program, the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) program, the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program, and the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program); and capital access programs (including the Surety Bond Guarantee Program)."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean

2014-03-20
SBA Veterans Assistance Programs: An Analysis of Contemporary Issues [January 9, 2013]

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"Several federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide training and other assistance to veterans seeking civilian employment. For example, the Department of Labor, in cooperation with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, operates the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP). Both programs provide optional employment information and training to service members within 180 days of their separation from military service, or retirement, to assist them in transitioning from the military to the civilian labor force. […] This report opens with an examination of the current economic circumstances of veteran-owned businesses drawn from the Bureau of the Census 2007 Survey of Business Owners, which was administered in 2008 and 2009, and released on May 17, 2011. It then provides a brief overview of veteran employment experiences, comparing unemployment and labor force participation rates for veterans, veterans who have left the military since September 2001, and non-veterans. The report then describes the employment assistance programs offered by several federal agencies to assist veterans in their transition from the military to the civilian labor force, and examines, in greater detail, the SBA's veteran business development programs, the SBA's Patriot Express loan guarantee program, and veteran contracting programs. The SBA's Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is also discussed."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lowry, Sean

2013-01-09
Medical Device Excise Tax: Economic Analysis [November 3, 2014]

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"The 2.3% medical device tax imposed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148) in 2010 was one of a number of additional revenue-raising provisions to finance health reform. This tax, which took effect in January 2013, is projected to collect approximately $38 billion of excise tax revenues over the next 10 years, resulting in $29 billion of net revenues, after accounting for offsets from other taxes. Some have called for a repeal of the medical device tax since enactment in 2010. Repeal of the tax has become such a high priority for some Members of Congress that it was one of the provisions discussed in the October 2013 negotiations over ending the federal government shutdown and increases in the federal debt ceiling. The Jobs for America Act (H.R. 4), passed in the House on September 18, 2014, included a repeal of the tax along with the permanent extension of a number of expiring provisions. The major justification offered for the medical device tax is its revenue, which helps offset the cost of the ACA. Although the tax is relatively small, no revenue replacement has been proposed and it may be difficult to find. There is also a concern among some that eliminating the medical device tax would lead to proposals to eliminate similar fees and taxes on other industries, the sum of which, including the device tax, totals $165 billion over 10 years. The tax was justified partly because the medical device industry was among the commercial interests that stood to benefit from unanticipated profits as more individuals enroll in health care insurance, post-ACA."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean; Gravelle, Jane

2014-11-03
Small Business Administration Trade and Export Promotion Programs [October 31, 2014]

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"According to Census Bureau data, approximately 1% of small businesses in the United States currently export. With roughly three-quarters of world purchasing power and almost 95% of world consumers living outside U.S. borders, more attention is being paid to the potential of small business export promotion programs to grow small businesses and contribute to the national economic recovery. In addition, some Members of Congress believe the contributions of small businesses to commercial innovation and economic growth could be enhanced through greater access to growing international markets. Consistent with these policy goals, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides export promotion and financing services to small businesses through its loan guaranty programs, management and training programs, and other initiatives. SBA's Office of International Trade (OIT) coordinates these activities as it assists with four stages of export promotion: (1) identifying small businesses interested in export promotion; (2) preparing small businesses to export; (3) connecting small businesses to export opportunities; and (4) supporting small businesses once they find export opportunities. The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-240) elevated trade within SBA by establishing an assistant administrator to lead OIT and report directly to the SBA administrator. The act also authorized SBA to establish a three-year State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) pilot grant initiative. Under the STEP initiative, which was appropriated $30 million both in FY2011 and FY2012, SBA awarded grants to states with the goal of assisting eligible 'small business concerns' with exporting."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean

2014-10-31
Small Business Administration Trade and Export Promotion Programs [April 2, 2014]

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"According to Census data, approximately 1% of small businesses in the United States currently export. With roughly three-quarters of world purchasing power and almost 95% of world consumers living outside of U.S. borders, more attention is being paid to the potential of small business export promotion programs to grow small businesses and contribute to the national economic recovery. In addition, some Members of Congress believe that the contributions of small businesses to commercial innovation and economic growth could be enhanced through greater access to growing international markets. Consistent with these policy goals, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides export promotion and financing services to small businesses through its loan guarantee programs, management and training programs, and other initiatives. SBA's Office of International Trade (OIT) coordinates these activities as it assists with four stages of export promotion: (1) identifying small businesses interested in export promotion; (2) preparing small businesses to export; (3) connecting small businesses to export opportunities; and (4) supporting small businesses once they find export opportunities."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean

2014-04-02
Recently Expired Community Assistance Related Tax Provisions ('Tax Extenders'): In Brief [October 21, 2014]

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"The Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act (S. 2260), which would extend most expired and soon-to-expire tax provisions (commonly referred to as 'Tax extenders') through 2015, was reported on April 28, and subsequently became an amendment to H.R. 3474. The bill did not advance in the Senate, as a motion to end debate on H.R. 3474, the legislative vehicle for the tax extenders package, was voted down on May 15, 2014. This report briefly summarizes four community assistance-related tax provisions included in the EXPIRE Act, which are (1) the New Markets Tax Credit, (2) Empowerment Zone Tax Incentives, (3) allocation of bond limitations for Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, and (4) the American Samoa Economic Development Credit. The EXPIRE Act would extend each of these provisions for two years (through 2015).1 A discussion of their economic impact and related extension bills in the 113th Congress is also included."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean

2014-10-21
Recently Expired Community Assistance Related Tax Provisions ('Tax Extenders'): In Brief [May 22, 2014]

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"On April 3, 2014, the Senate Finance Committee passed the Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act (S. 2260), which would extend most expired and soon-toexpire tax provisions through 2015. Subsequently, the House Ways and Means Committee considered proposals to make permanent certain expired provisions and could reauthorize additional provisions. These and other tax provisions that are regularly extended for one or two years are often referred to as 'tax extenders.' This report briefly summarizes four community assistance-related tax provisions included in the EXPIRE Act, which are (1) the New Markets Tax Credit, (2) Empowerment Zone Tax Incentives, (3) allocation of bond limitations for Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, and (4) the American Samoa Economic Development Credit. The EXPIRE Act would extend each of these provisions for two years (through 2015). A discussion of their economic impact and related extension bills in the 113th Congress is also included."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean

2014-05-22
COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated January 8, 2021]

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From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean

2021-01-08
COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated December 29, 2020]

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From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007-2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic[.] [...] One lesson learned from the actions taken to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession is the potential benefits that can be derived from providing additional funding for the SBA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO and the SBA's OIG can provide Congress information that could prove useful as Congress engages in congressional oversight of the SBA's administration of legislation to address COVID-19's adverse economic impact on small businesses, provide an early warning if unforeseen administrative problems should arise, and, through investigations and audits, serve as a deterrent to fraud."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean

2020-12-29
COVID-19 Relief Assistance to Small Businesses: Issues and Policy Options [Updated October 6, 2020]

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From the Summary: "The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several types of programs to support small businesses, including direct disaster loan programs for businesses, homeowners, and renters; loan guaranty and venture capital programs; management and technical assistance training programs; and contracting programs. Congressional interest in these programs has always been high, primarily because small businesses are viewed as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but it has become especially acute in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's widespread adverse economic impact on the national economy. This report provides a brief description of the SBA's programs and examines congressional action to assist small businesses during and immediately following the Great Recession (2007- 2009) and during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Lowry, Sean

2020-10-06
H. Con. Res. 3: Concurrent Resolution Censuring President Donald J. Trump for Attempting to Overturn the Results of the 2020 Presidential Election Through Unlawful Means and for Inciting Insurrection, January 11, 2021

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From the Document: "Whereas President Trump has incited his followers to challenge the election with his baseless claims against the 2020 Presidential election; Whereas, on January 6, 2021, the House of Representatives and Senate met at the United States Capitol in a Joint Session to count the votes of the Electoral College; Whereas, on January 6, 2021, immediately prior to the Joint Session, President Trump spoke to a large crowd in the District of Columbia, where he again raised baseless questions about the legitimacy of the 2020 Presidential election and thereby encouraged the crowd to falsely believe that fraud had occurred."

United States. Government Publishing Office

2021-01-11
IRS Guidance Says No Deduction is Allowed for Business Expenses Paid with Forgiven PPP Loans [Updated December 31, 2020]

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From the Document: "The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; P.L. 116-136) created Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for payroll expenses and certain operating costs, which are forgiven if the borrower meets certain criteria. On April 30, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2020-32, stating that PPP recipients cannot claim a deduction for expenses funded from forgiven PPP loans. On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed H.R. 133, the COVID-[coronavirus disease 2019] related Tax Relief Act of 2020 (Subtitle B of Title II of Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021), which nullifies the IRS's [Internal Revenue Service] guidance and allows borrowers to deduct expenses paid out of forgiven PPP loans."

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Lowry, Sean; Gravelle, Jane

2020-12-31

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