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45 plain-English definitions of the agencies, programs, laws and procedures that come up in bills and votes.
AI-AssistedWritten with AI from official sources. The official record always prevails. How we use AI.- Fair Labor Standards ActFLSA
- Law
The 1938 law that sets the federal minimum wage, requires overtime pay for many workers and limits child labor.
- Fannie Mae
- Agency
A government-sponsored company that buys home mortgages from lenders and packages them into securities, which keeps money available for new loans. It has been under federal conservatorship since 2008.
- Farm Bill
- Law
A multiyear law, usually renewed about every five years, that sets policy for farm support, crop insurance, conservation, nutrition programs such as SNAP, and rural development.
In Bills:H.R. 7567
- Farm Service Agency
- Agency
The USDA agency that runs farm loans, commodity price and income support, disaster assistance and the Conservation Reserve Program through local county offices.
- Federal Aviation AdministrationFAA
- Agency
The DOT agency that regulates the safety of civil aviation, certifies aircraft and pilots, and runs the air traffic control system.
- Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI
- Agency
The Justice Department's main law enforcement and domestic intelligence agency. It investigates federal crimes, terrorism and espionage.
- Federal Bureau of PrisonsBOP
- Agency
The Justice Department agency that runs federal prisons and holds people convicted of federal crimes.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:S. 307
- Federal Communications CommissionFCC
- Agency
The independent agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable, and manages commercial use of the airwaves.
- Federal Crop Insurance
- Program
Insurance that protects farmers against crop losses from natural causes and falling prices. Private companies sell the policies, and the federal government subsidizes premiums and reinsures the companies.
- Federal Crop Insurance CorporationFCIC
- Agency
The government corporation that finances the federal crop insurance program, which the USDA's Risk Management Agency runs with private insurers.
- Federal Deposit Insurance CorporationFDIC
- Agency
The independent agency that insures bank deposits, up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, for each account ownership category, and supervises many banks.
- Federal Election CommissionFEC
- Agency
The independent agency that enforces federal campaign finance law, including contribution limits and disclosure rules for candidates and political committees.
- Federal Emergency Management AgencyFEMA
- Agency
The DHS agency that coordinates the federal response to disasters, helps states and communities recover, and runs the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Federal Employees Health Benefits ProgramFEHB
- Program
The health insurance program for federal employees, retirees and their families, run by the Office of Personnel Management.
In Bills:H.R. 3490
- Federal Highway AdministrationFHWA
- Agency
The DOT agency that funds and oversees highway construction and safety programs carried out by the states.
- Federal Home Loan Banks
- Agency
Eleven regional banks, created by Congress in 1932 and owned by their members, that lend to banks, credit unions and insurers to support housing and community lending.
- Federal Housing AdministrationFHA
- Agency
The part of HUD that insures home mortgages made by private lenders, which lets many borrowers buy with a smaller down payment.
- Federal Housing Finance AgencyFHFA
- Agency
The independent agency that regulates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
- Federal Law Enforcement Training CentersFLETC
- Agency
The DHS agency that trains officers and agents for most federal law enforcement agencies.
- Federal Maritime Commission
- Agency
The independent agency that regulates ocean shipping in U.S. foreign trade to keep it competitive and reliable for exporters, importers and consumers.
- Federal Medical Assistance PercentageFMAP
- Program
The share of a state's Medicaid costs that the federal government pays. It is set by a formula and is higher in states with lower income per person.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationFMCSA
- Agency
The DOT agency that regulates the safety of commercial trucks and buses and their drivers.
- Federal Protective Service
- Agency
The DHS agency that provides security and law enforcement at federal buildings.
In Bills:H.R. 3425
- Federal Railroad AdministrationFRA
- Agency
The DOT agency that sets rail safety rules and funds passenger and freight rail projects, including grants to Amtrak.
- Federal Register
- Law
The daily official publication of the federal government where agencies publish proposed and final rules, notices and presidential documents.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:S.J.Res. 60
- Federal Reserve
- Agency
The central bank of the United States. It sets monetary policy to promote maximum employment and stable prices, supervises many banks and runs key payment systems.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:H.R. 1919
- Federal Trade CommissionFTC
- Agency
The independent agency that enforces consumer protection and antitrust laws against unfair, deceptive and anticompetitive business practices.
- Federal Transit Administration
- Agency
The DOT agency that funds public transportation, such as buses, subways and light rail.
- Federally Qualified Health CenterFQHC, FQHCs
- Program
A community health center that receives federal funding or meets federal standards to serve all patients regardless of ability to pay, with fees on a sliding scale.
- Federally Recognized Tribe
- Legal Term
An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe that the United States recognizes as a sovereign government with a government-to-government relationship, which makes it eligible for federal programs and services.
- Felony
- Legal Term
A serious crime. Under federal law it is one punishable by more than a year in prison.
In Bills:H.R. 3486
- Filibuster
- Congress
Using the Senate's rules of extended debate to delay or block a vote. Unless 60 senators vote for cloture, opponents can keep most bills from coming to a final vote.
- Financial Crimes Enforcement NetworkFinCEN
- Agency
The Treasury Department bureau that fights money laundering and other financial crimes by collecting and analyzing reports from banks and other financial institutions.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:H.R. 736
- Fiscal Year
- Budget and Tax
The federal government's budget year, which runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceUSFWS, FWS
- Agency
The Interior Department agency that manages national wildlife refuges and enforces wildlife laws, including the Endangered Species Act for land and freshwater species.
- Food and Drug AdministrationFDA
- Agency
The HHS agency that regulates the safety of food, drugs, vaccines, medical devices, cosmetics and tobacco products, and approves new drugs before they can be sold.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:H.R. 8646
- Food and Nutrition ServiceFNS
- Agency
The USDA agency that runs federal nutrition assistance, including SNAP, WIC and the school lunch and breakfast programs.
- Food Safety and Inspection ServiceFSIS
- Agency
The USDA agency that inspects meat, poultry and processed egg products to make sure they are safe and correctly labeled.
- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance ActFISA
- Law
The 1978 law that sets rules, and a special court, for government surveillance to collect foreign intelligence. Its Section 702 allows collecting communications of foreigners abroad, which can include Americans who are in contact with them.
- Foreign Military SalesFMS
- International
The U.S. government program for selling defense equipment, services and training to other countries, managed by the Defense Department under the Arms Export Control Act. Congress can block major sales by joint resolution.
In Bills:H.R. 4216
- Forest ServiceUSFS
- Agency
The USDA agency that manages the 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands and supports state, tribal and private forestry.
- Freddie Mac
- Agency
A government-sponsored company that buys home mortgages from lenders and packages them into securities. Like Fannie Mae, it has been under federal conservatorship since 2008.
- Free Application for Federal Student AidFAFSA
- Program
The form students fill out to apply for federal grants, loans and work-study. Many states and colleges also use it for their own aid.
In Bills:H.R. 7892
- Freedom of Information ActFOIA
- Law
The law that gives the public the right to request records from federal agencies, with exemptions such as national security and personal privacy.