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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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