WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48522) on May 2, 2025, entitled "Federal Statistical Data for U.S. Territories: Issues and Resources" by American national government specialist Taylor R. Knoedl and senior research librarian Ben Leubsdorf: * * * SUMMARY The United States has plenary authority over five major territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islan more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45811) on May 5, 2025, entitled "Hypersonic Weapons - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Infrastructure According to a study mandated by the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 112-239) and conducted by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA),/85 the United States had 48 critical hypersonic test facilities and mobile assets in 2014 needed for the maturat more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45811) on May 5, 2025, entitled "Hypersonic Weapons - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Issues for Congress As Congress reviews the Pentagon's plans for U.S. hypersonic weapons programs during the annual authorization and appropriations process, it might consider a number of questions about the rationale for hypersonic weapons, their expected costs, budget and manag more PR

WASHINGTON, May 3 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11303) on May 2, 2025, by legislative attorneys Matthew D. Trout and Sean Stiff: * * * Congressional and Executive Power Over Spending: Selected Recent Litigation On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued the first group in a series of executive orders that seek to align past and future federal spending decisions with the new Administration's policy priorities. The first Legal Side more PR

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12943) on March 14, 2025, by Air Force fellow Robert Switzer and defense budget specialist Brendan W. McGarry. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Department of Defense Classified Funding Introduction The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) annual budget submission includes requests for classified funding. In authorizing and appropriating funding for DOD in fiscal year (FY) 2024, Cong more PR

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44201) on May 7, 2025, entitled "DOT's Federal Pipeline Safety Program - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * PHMSA's Role in Pipeline Security Pipeline safety and security are distinct issues involving different threats, statutory authorities, and regulatory frameworks. Nonetheless, aspects of pipeline safety and security can be intertwined. PHMSA has historically pla more PR

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following news release: * * * GAO Makes MACPAC Appointments WASHINGTON (May 5, 2025)--Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced the appointment of two new members to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Four members were also reappointed. "I am honored to appoint our two newest members to this important commi more PR

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following news release: * * * GAO Seeks New Members for Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council WASHINGTON (May 8, 2025) - The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is seeking nominations for up to five positions on its Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council (TIAC). The Council was formed in 2022 to provide insights and recommendations and help guide GAO's future work on critical issues affecting Tribal Nations and thei more PR

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48424) on May 6, 2025, entitled "Methane Emissions: U.S. and International Mitigation Efforts" by environmental policy analyst Kathryn G. Kynett. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Methane is a greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted in part as a result of human activities. According to climate scientists, approximately 0.5 C of the net 1.1 C increase in global surface temperatures that has occurred since 1850 may b more PR