Deborah Rod
How Congress Funds the Federal Government
The United States Constitution grants Congress the "power of the purse": "No money shall be drawn from the…
Trump Demands End to Senate Filibuster as Government Shutdown Drags On
President Donald Trump wrote his party's leaders in the Senate: "It is now time for the Republicans to…
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…
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…
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,…
New Home Address Not in USPS System: How to Get It Verified
You've just built your dream home, but there's a problem: according to USPS, your address doesn't exist. This…
What HUD Building Inspectors Do
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) operates a large portfolio of properties and manages a…
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP): A Guide
Last updated. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact…
Understanding Your FEMA Determination Letter: What It Means and What to Do Next
After applying for federal disaster assistance, you will receive a determination letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency…
FEMA’s Maximum Grant Amount: What You Can Receive
When a major disaster strikes, the President of the United States can issue a Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking…
How to Replace Lost Documents After a Disaster
Losing your home, your belongings, and your peace of mind in a disaster is a devastating experience. The…
Is FEMA Assistance Taxable Income? What You Need to Know
When you're navigating the aftermath of a disaster, the last thing you need is confusion about your taxes.…
How to Identify and Report FEMA Fraud After a Disaster
In the chaotic aftermath of a disaster, when individuals and communities are at their most vulnerable, a secondary…
Is the US on a War Footing with Venezuela?
In October 2025, the long-simmering tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalated dramatically, pushing the two nations…
Do Presidential Debates Change Elections? What the Evidence Shows
Every four years, the American political landscape braces for its marquee event: the presidential debate. The news media…