Current Congress is looking a little more productive – so far
Legislative productivity may be on an upswing, as lawmakers enacted more bills before their August break than either of the two preceding Congresses.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Pew Research Center
-
-
Proposal could make nearly 5 million workers newly eligible for overtime
Proposed new overtime rules would make nearly 5 million white-collar workers eligible for time-and-a-half – mostly retail and food service managers, office administrators, low-level financial workers and other modestly paid managers and office professionals.
-
5 facts about Social Security
Social Security has developed into one of the most popular federal programs, though that popularity is tempered by concern over its long-term financial outlook.
-
Why the former USSR has far fewer men than women
This region in Eastern Europe has been predominately female since at least WWII.
-
Financial crises surprisingly common, but few countries close their banks
In more than four decades, only seven countries have imposed the kind of limits on people’s access to their bank accounts that Greeks have been under since June 28.
-
Share of counties where whites are a minority has doubled since 1980
As of last summer, 364 counties, independent cities and other county-level equivalents (11.6% of the total) did not have non-Hispanic white majorities – the most in modern history.
-
Growth from Asia drives surge in U.S. foreign students
Asians, especially Chinese, are responsible for most of the sharp increase in foreign students at U.S. colleges and universities. Foreign students are more likely to study science, engineering and math than U.S. students as a whole, especially at the post-baccalaureate level.
-
Scientists more worried than public about world’s growing population
Over the course of history, many scientists and activists have raised alarm about population numbers that only increase every year.
-
What we know about Cuba’s economy
Despite some reforms, the island country’s economy remains dominated by the government and state-owned enterprises.
-
With trade on Congress’ agenda, just what does the U.S. import and export?
Though crude oil continues to be the nation’s single biggest import, energy exports have risen sharply. Exports of some metals and agricultural products also have grown rapidly.
