WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11333) on July 7, 2025, by legislative attorney Kristen Hite: * * * "Deference Squared": Supreme Court Limits NEPA's Scope and Courts' Reach in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of certain major federal actions that will affect the environment. The Supreme Court more PR

WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11859) on July 8, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Army's M-10 Booker (Formerly Known as Mobile Protected Firepower [MPF]) System What Is the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) System? The Army's MPF system is intended to address an operational shortfall in infantry units: 'Currently the Army's Infantry Brigade Combat Team more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12191) on July 10, 2025, by economic development policy analyst Joseph V. Jaroscak: * * * CDBG-DR Process Standardization: Selected HUD Actions and Legislative Proposals Introduction Periodically, Congress has provided supplemental appropriations for Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Developme more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress." The report is written by naval affairs specialists Ronald O'Rourke, transportation policy specialist John Frittelli, environmental policy specialist Jonathan L. Ramseur, energy policy analysts Emma Kaboli and Lexie Ryan, and natural resources policy specialists Anthony R. Marshak, Laura B. Comay, Marie more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 8) * * * Arctic Council The Arctic Council, created in 1996, is the leading international forum for addressing issues relating to the Arctic. Its founding document is the Ottawa Declaration of September 19, 1996, a joint declaration (not a treaty) signed by representatives  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 2 of 8) * * * U.S. Interest in Greenland President Trump on multiple occasions has expressed an interest in having the United States annex Greenland. (As noted earlier, Greenland is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark.)/98 For example, in his address to a joint sessi more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 3 of 8) * * * NATO and European Union NATO As mentioned earlier, the A7 states are all members of NATO, and the expansion of NATO to include Finland and Sweden following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war has increased the Arctic as an area of focus for NATO. During the Cold  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 4 of 8) * * * Russia-China Cooperation Russia-China cooperation in the Arctic can both reflect and contribute to Russia and China's strategic partnership. A February 4, 2022, joint statement by Russia and China about their strategic partnership stated that the two countries "agr more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 5 of 8) * * * Commercial Sea Transportation/273 Background The search for a shorter route from the Atlantic to Asia has been the quest of maritime powers since the Middle Ages. The diminishment of Arctic ice raises the possibility of saving several thousands of miles and severa more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 6 of 8) * * * Onshore Energy and Mineral Development Alaska generally, including some areas within the Arctic region, is known to contain economically viable onshore deposits of oil, gas, and minerals. A warming Arctic means new opportunities and challenges for energy and minera more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 2, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 7 of 8) * * * Protected Species/459 There are several federal trust species in the Arctic protected by U.S. statutes such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.1531-1543), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.1361-1407), and the Migratory Bird Tr more PR

WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11672) on July 8, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring 30 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLI more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12584) on July 10, 2025, by financial economics specialist Eva Su: * * * Crypto Legislation: CLARITY Act's (H.R. 3633) Potential Effects on SEC Jurisdiction The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 (CLARITY, H.R. 3633) passed the House Committees on Financial Services and Agriculture on June 10, 2025. The bill aims to transform digital asset regulatory landscape and redefine more PR

WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12583) on July 7, 2025, by financial economics analyst Paul Tierno: * * * Crypto Legislation: An Overview of H.R. 3633, the CLARITY Act On June 23, 2025, the House Committees on Financial Services and Agriculture reported H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 (or the CLARITY Act). The bill would give the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) a central role more PR

WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10532) on July 7, 2025, by military personnel specialist Kristy N. Kamarck and defense policy analyst Nicholas M. Munves. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Regular Military Compensation Congress sets compensation levels for members of the Armed Forces through statutory authorizations and appropriations. When people talk about military pay, they are often referring only t more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13057) on July 9, 2025, by legislative attorney April J. Anderson: * * * What Is Disparate-Impact Discrimination? Many federal antidiscrimination laws encompass two theories of discrimination: disparate treatment and disparate impact. Disparate-treatment discrimination involves intentional harm based on race, sex, disability, or some other proscribed motive. Disparate-impact di more PR

WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13056) on July 8, 2025, by American national government analyst Karen L. Shanton. Here are excerpts: * * * The Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS): Overview and 2024 Findings The Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) is a biennial survey of state and local officials about the administration of federal elections. The survey is conducted for each regular f more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13023) on July 9, 2025, by economic policy senior specialist Jane G. Gravelle: * * * Enforcement of Remedies Against Unfair Foreign Taxes Lawmakers have proposed increasing taxes on income from U.S. sources by nonresident aliens from countries that impose taxes considered to be discriminatory (Section 899 of the Internal Revenue Code). For example, the version of H.R. 1 (also k more PR

WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11336) on July 8, 2025, by legislative attorneys Michael A. Foster and Dave S. Sidhu: * * * Excessive Force and the Fourth Amendment: Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of Legal Test On May 15, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Barnes v. Felix, a case addressing the question of when a police officer's use of force violates the Fourth Amendment's prohibition on unreas more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11338) on July 10, 2025, by attorney-adviser Eric N. Holmes: * * * First Amendment: Government Retaliation for Protected Expression The Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment provides that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech." The clause applies to any government action, whether federal, state, or local. Individuals may be able to challenge  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12582) on July 7, 2025, by firearms policy analyst Jordan B. Cohen and legislative attorney Dave S. Sidhu: * * * Forced-Reset Triggers: Recent Executive Action and Issues for Congress On May 16, 2025, the Trump Administration announced a settlement resolving several civil lawsuits, including between the U.S. federal government and Rare Breed Triggers, a company that sells forced  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12576) on July 10, 2025, by defense policy specialists Hannah D. Dennis and Daniel M. Gettinger. Here are excerpts: * * * Golden Dome: Funding in 2025 Reconciliation Law (H.R. 1; P.L. 119-21) Introduction A section in the 2025 budget reconciliation legislation often referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21, Title II, Sec.20003) provided $24.4 billion for inte more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11729) on July 9, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Background The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV consists of two variants: more PR

WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44865) on July 7, 2025, by senior knowledge management librarian Devon Galena. Here are excerpts: * * * Juneteenth: Fact Sheet SUMMARY Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, Black Independence Day, and, by statute, Juneteenth National Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, M more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48595) on July 10, 2025, entitled "Legislative Categorical Exclusions Under the National Environmental Policy Act" by environmental policy analyst Heather McPherron. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.4321 et seq.) establishes procedures for federal agencies to integrate consideration of environmental impacts into federal decisionm more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43419) on July 9, 2025, entitled "NASA Appropriations and Authorizations: At a Glance" by Rachel Lindbergh, science and technology policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview Congressional deliberations about the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) often focus on the availability of funding. This product provides data on past and current NASA appropriations, as well as more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11679) on July 9, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's DDG(X) program envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy's Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers and older Arleigh Bu more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11826) on July 9, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy has been procuring Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998. The Navy's envisaged successor to the Virginia-class design is the Next-Generation more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11838) on July 9, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy in FY2022 procured the first of a planned class of seven new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships. The Navy's proposed FY2026 budget requests $612.2 million for the proc more PR

WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48549) on July 7, 2025, entitled "Presidential 2025 Tariff Actions: Timeline and Status" by research librarians Keigh E. Hammond and William F. Burkhart. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents U.S. Tariff Actions Since January 20, 2025 .... 4 Foreign Retaliation to U.S. Tariff Actions .... 12 Tables Table 1. U.S. Tariff Actions Since Jan. 20, 2025: IEEPA .... 4 Table 2. U.S. Tariff Actions  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12585) on July 10, 2025, by social policy specialist Alexandra Hegji. Here are excerpts: * * * Student Loan Types and Limits in the FY2025 Budget Reconciliation Act P.L. 119-21, the FY2025 budget reconciliation act, amends the types of student loans available to borrowers under the Direct Loan program - the single largest source of federal financial assistance to support studen more PR

WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11335) on July 8, 2025, by legislative attorney Andrew S. Coghlan: * * * Supreme Court Clarifies Who Can Hear Challenges to Clean Air Act Actions On June 18, 2025, the Supreme Court decided EPA v. Calumet Shreveport Refining and Oklahoma v. EPA, a pair of cases about Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 307(b)(1), which governs judicial review of the U.S. Environmental Protection A more PR

WASHINGTON, July 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47013) on July 9, 2025, entitled "The Surface Transportation Board: Background and Current Issues" by transportation policy analyst Ben Goldman. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Surface Transportation Board (STB) was created by Congress in 1995 to replace the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) as the economic regulator of providers of interstate land and water transportation. It most o more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11666) on July 10, 2025, by natural resources policy specialist Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nuisance Species Efforts Introduction Nuisance species are species that cause, or are likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Nuisance species impact both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As human societies  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48589) on July 2, 2025, entitled "U.S. Retail Food Price Data: Frequently Asked Questions and Issues for Congress" by agricultural policy analyst Christine Whitt. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY U.S. consumers, particularly low-income consumers, may face challenges during periods of rising food prices. Policymakers may find it helpful to understand federal sources for U.S. retail food price  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12990) on July 10, 2025, by Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-China Tariff Actions Since 2018: An Overview Since 2018, the U.S. government has imposed a series of tariffs on imports from the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China) with the stated intention of addressing U.S. concerns about PRC trade practices and foreign poli more PR

WASHINGTON, July 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13058) on July 10, 2025, by Linda R. Rowan, natural resources and earth sciences analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * The USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS's) Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is an effort within the USGS Mineral Resources Program (MRP, part of the Energy and Minerals Mission Area) to modernize mapping of the  more PR