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8 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.- General Election
- Elections
The November election in which voters choose who will hold office from among the nominees and other qualified candidates.
- General Services AdministrationGSA
- Agency
The independent agency that manages federal buildings and leases, buys goods and services for other agencies and runs shared technology services.
- U.S. Geological SurveyUSGS
- Agency
The Interior Department's science agency. It maps the country and studies earthquakes, volcanoes, water, minerals and ecosystems.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
In Bills:S. 2878
- GI Bill
- Program
Education benefits for veterans and service members, run by the VA, that help pay for college, job training and housing while in school.
In Bills:H.R. 983
- Ginnie Mae
- Agency
A government corporation within HUD that guarantees securities backed by federally insured or guaranteed home loans, such as FHA and VA mortgages.
- Government Accountability OfficeGAO
- Agency
Congress's nonpartisan watchdog. It audits federal agencies and programs and reports on how taxpayer money is spent. It is led by the Comptroller General.
- Government Publishing OfficeGPO
- Agency
The legislative branch agency that publishes official federal documents, including bills, laws, the Congressional Record and the Federal Register, and runs the GovInfo website.
- Government Shutdown
- Budget and Tax
What happens when appropriations lapse: agencies must stop work that is not allowed without funding, apart from narrow exceptions such as protecting life and property.