A new report from the Congressional Research Service looks at the use of mandatory minimum sentencing to punish certain types of crimes, and reviews current legislation to modify that controversial practice.

“A surprising number of federal crimes carry mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment,” CRS said. “That is, they are punishable by imprisonment for a term of not less than some number of years. During the 114th Congress, Members have introduced a number of related proposals. Some would expand the scope of existing mandatory minimum sentencing provisions; others would contract their reach.”  See Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Legislation in the 114th Congress, April 29, 2015.

Other noteworthy new CRS products that Congress has withheld from public distribution include the following.

European Fighters in Syria and Iraq: Assessments, Responses, and Issues for the United States, April 27, 2015

New U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines Deepen Alliance Cooperation, CRS Insights, April 28, 2015

Questions of the Privileges of the House: An Analysis, April 28, 2015

Civilian Nuclear Waste Disposal, April 24, 2015

The United Kingdom Election, CRS Insights, April 29, 2015

What are the Department of Defense (DOD) Policies on Transgender Service?, CRS Insights, April 28, 2015

The first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate was Rebecca Latimer Felton (D-GA), who was appointed in 1922 to replace a Senator who had died in office. At age 87, Senator Felton was the oldest person ever to begin a Senate career. She served for only one day. See Women in Congress: Historical Overview, Tables, and Discussion, April 29, 2015.