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The Epstein Files: What Documents Exist and What They Prove

The criminal enterprise of Jeffrey Epstein has created one of the most persistent myths in modern American history: the existence of a singular, definitive "Client List." A forensic examination of…

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How Congress Forced the Release of the Epstein Files

By late autumn 2025, the United States House of Representatives found itself at the center of a constitutional clash. This was not merely a political dispute over the release of…

An Independent Team to Decode Government

GovFacts is a nonpartisan site focused on making government concepts and policies easier to understand — and government programs easier to access.

Our articles are referenced by trusted think tanks and publications including Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill, and USA Today.

Most Read This Week

Understanding Your Passport Costs: A Clear Guide to Fees

Getting a U.S. passport is your ticket to international travel, but understanding the associated costs…

USPS Package Size Limits (2025 Guide)

Whether you're shipping products nationwide as a small business owner or sending gifts to loved…

Explainers

Alternatives to SNAP Benefits: Food Assistance Available During the 2025 Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown reached 43 days in November 2025, making it the longest in U.S. history. The shutdown, which…

Nuclear Testing Returns to Headlines as U.S., Russia, and China Ramp Up Activities

The specter of nuclear testing—a practice most Americans associate with Cold War-era footage of mushroom clouds—has returned to the headlines…

How the Supreme Court Is Evaluating Trump’s Emergency Tariff Powers

On November 5, 2025, the Supreme Court heard what has been called the biggest legal test yet of the Trump…

Analyses

Why Americans Keep Re-electing Congresspeople They Dislike

Voters are unhappy with their government. This anti-incumbency sentiment, defined as a desire to vote out officeholders, is a constant…

Does the Economy Always Decide Elections?

"It's the economy, stupid!" James Carville's famous phrase from Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign became an iron law of American politics.…

Can the Trump Administration Use Federal Websites to Blame Democrats for 2025 Shutdown?

During the October 2025 federal government shutdown, Americans visiting official government websites for essential information saw something unusual. Instead of…

Rights and Freedoms

When the FCC Can Revoke Your Broadcast License

The radio frequencies that carry our favorite songs, the television signals that bring news into our homes, and the wireless…

A History of Unemployment Benefits in the United States

Unemployment Insurance is a key part of America's social safety net. This federal-state partnership provides temporary, partial wage replacement to…

A Guide to White House Press Briefings

Cable news thrives on clips of "fiery confrontations" and "explosive exchanges" that make the daily briefing look like a verbal…

National Debates

Should the Government Shutdown Threaten Food Benefits for 42 Million Americans?

The federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, 2025, after Congress missed its September 30 deadline to pass new…

Debating the Supreme Court Shadow Docket: Fast Rulings, Little Explanation, Big Consequences

The Supreme Court has two ways of doing business. Most Americans know the first: the merits docket. This is where…

The Debate Over Trump’s Proposed $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

On September 19, 2025, the Trump administration signed a presidential proclamation that imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa…

The Case for Ending Quarterly Earnings Reports

For more than 50 years, quarterly earnings reports have set the rhythm of American capitalism. Every 90 days, publicly traded…

Trending Federal Guidance

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees: Understanding Your Rights Under the FLSA

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the cornerstone of federal wage and hour law in the United States. Enacted to establish basic labor standards, it governs critical aspects of…

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Step-by-Step Guide for Applying for Social Security Benefits

Navigating Social Security benefits doesn't have to be complicated. This guide breaks down the application…

USPS Media Mail Rules and Restrictions

Media Mail is an economy shipping service provided by the USPS specifically for sending media…

FEMA Regions: How the US Is Divided for Emergency Response

During disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, the immediate response comes from local firefighters,…

How the FDA Decides Which Drugs You Can Buy

Getting a new medicine from a laboratory to your pharmacy involves one of the most…

Other Top Federal Guidance

FEMA Application Deadlines After a Disaster

When a disaster hits, getting your home and life back together is the priority. But there's a clock ticking on…

Reporting Food Problems to the Government

Your Food Safety Report Could Prevent an Outbreak When you bite into a sandwich and find a piece of glass,…

How to Search for Patents

That idea brewing in your mind could be worth millions—or it could already belong to someone else. Before you spend…

How the National Security Council Coordinates America’s Cyber Defense

The National Security Council is at the center of America's response to cyber warfare, serving as the hub for coordinating…

Inside the National Space Council

The National Space Council operates as the White House's primary mechanism for aligning everything from NASA's Mars missions to the…

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On November 5, 2025, the Trump administration announced it would mandate a reduction in air traffic across 40 of the nation's high-volume airports. The move came 35 days into a…

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How Congress Funds the Federal Government

The United States Constitution grants Congress the "power of the purse": "No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law." This ensures the…

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How Federal Reserve Bank Supervisors Protect the U.S. Financial System

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Trump Demands End to Senate Filibuster as Government Shutdown Drags On

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IRS Shares Taxpayer Data with ICE Under Trump Administration Agreement

The Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have long operated in separate spheres. The IRS collects taxes. ICE enforces immigration law. The IRS falls under the Department…

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Biden’s Autopen Use Sparks Constitutional Fight Over Presidential Authority

For over 70 years, the presidential autopen has operated quietly in the White House. The machine uses a real pen to replicate a president's signature on everything from constituent letters…

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Federal Workers Caught in Shutdown: Why America’s Largest Government Union Demanded Action

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nation's largest union representing 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers, has issued public demands for lawmakers to end the crisis. AFGE National…

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How to Donate to the U.S. Government: Rules and Requirements

Governments fund operations primarily through taxes, but they can accept voluntary donations. This comes with significant restrictions. Federal, state, and local rules governing donations exist to prevent corruption and undue…

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Financial Assistance for Federal Employees During the 2025 Government Shutdown

The financial and professional lives of millions of federal workers have been thrown into uncertainty. Understanding the shutdown mechanics, your specific employment status, and the situation surrounding your pay is…

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Types of U.S. Federal Agencies: How the Executive Branch Is Organized

To many Americans, the federal government is just an "alphabet soup" of agencies. We hear about the FBI, EPA, NASA, and USPS, but understanding how they fit into the larger…

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Trump’s White House Ballroom: How Construction Bypassed Federal Oversight

The White House is the seat of executive power and one of the nation's most secure facilities. Its physical form has evolved over two centuries, marked by fires, reconstructions, and…

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