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19 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.- Taiwan Relations Act
- Law
The 1979 law that governs unofficial U.S. relations with Taiwan and provides for supplying Taiwan with arms for its self-defense.
- Tariff
- Budget and Tax
A tax on imported goods, paid to U.S. Customs and Border Protection by the company or person importing them.
- Tax Court
- Court
A federal court where taxpayers can challenge IRS decisions about how much tax they owe before paying it.
- Tax Credit
- Budget and Tax
An amount subtracted directly from the tax a person or business owes. A refundable credit is paid out even when it is larger than the tax owed.
- Tax Cuts and Jobs ActTCJA
- Law
The 2017 tax law that lowered individual and corporate income tax rates, nearly doubled the standard deduction and expanded the Child Tax Credit. Many of its individual provisions were originally set to expire after 2025.
- Tax Deduction
- Budget and Tax
An amount subtracted from income before tax is figured, which lowers the tax owed by the deduction times the taxpayer's tax rate.
- Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Agency
An independent office within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and recommends changes to prevent them.
In Bills:H.R. 997
- Temporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesTANF
- Program
A federal block grant to states for cash assistance and other help for low-income families with children, with work requirements and time limits.
In Bills:H.R. 6945
- Temporary Protected StatusTPS
- Program
A temporary immigration status that lets people from countries the Homeland Security Secretary designates, because of armed conflict, disaster or other extraordinary conditions, live and work in the United States.
In Bills:H.R. 1689
- Thrift Savings PlanTSP
- Program
The retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the uniformed services, similar to a 401(k).
- Thrifty Food PlanTFP
- Program
The USDA's estimate of the cost of a nutritious, low-cost diet for a family of four. It sets the maximum SNAP benefit.
- Tie-Breaking Vote
- Congress
In the Senate, a vote cast by the vice president to break a tie. In the House, a tie means the question fails.
- Toxic Substances Control ActTSCA
- Law
The federal law that lets the EPA review and regulate chemicals made in or imported into the United States.
In Bills:S.J.Res. 187
- Trade Deficit
- Budget and Tax
The amount by which the value of a country's imports is larger than the value of its exports. It is different from the federal budget deficit.
- Transportation Security AdministrationTSA
- Agency
The DHS agency that screens passengers and baggage at airports and sets security rules for other kinds of transportation.
- Treaty
- Congress
A formal agreement with another country that the president negotiates. The Senate must approve it by a two-thirds vote of senators present before the president can ratify it.
- TRICARE
- Program
The health care program for active-duty and retired service members and their families, run by the Defense Health Agency.
- Trust Fund
- Budget and Tax
A federal account that holds money set aside by law for a specific purpose, such as Social Security benefits or highways, mostly from dedicated taxes.