WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48538) on July 30, 2025, entitled "Advanced Lithium-Ion Energy Storage Battery Manufacturing in the U.S." by Michael Alan Havlin, industrial organization and business analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Due to increases in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energies, and a wide range of consumer goods, the demand for energy storage batteries has increased considerably from 2 more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48538) on July 30, 2025, entitled "Advanced Lithium-Ion Energy Storage Battery Manufacturing in the U.S.:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Policy Options for Congress This section discusses past congressional actions related to battery manufacturing and discusses some policy options for Congress to consider. Congress has enacted legislation that may have affected the development of a bat more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10814) on Aug. 11, 2025, by Cory Welt, Russian and European affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Belarus, located in eastern Europe, is a close ally of Russia. Belarus's authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has served as president for 31 years. Lukashenko increased Belarus's dependency on Russia starting in 2020, when a government crackdown on political oppositio more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44975) on Aug. 7, 2025, entitled "The Blue Slip Process for U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations (1917-Present)" by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The blue slip process used by the Senate Judiciary Committee for U.S. circuit and district court nominations is of ongoing interest to Congress. Since at least 1917, the committee's more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12593) on Aug. 14, 2025, by foreign affairs analyst Joshua Klein: * * * Bolivia's 2025 Elections: Implications for U.S. Policy Bolivia is scheduled to hold presidential and legislative elections on August 17, 2025. A possible change in government could shift Bolivia's policies after two decades of nearly continuous governance under the leftist Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) part more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11349) on Aug. 15, 2025, by legislative attorney Whitney K. Novak: * * * College Athlete Compensation: Impacts of the House Settlement For much of its history, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has enforced rules related to college athlete compensation, including rules prohibiting athletes from earning money for the use of their name, image, and likeness more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47656) on Aug. 8, 2025, entitled "Copyright in Standards Incorporated by Reference into Law and the Pro Codes Act" by legislative attorney Kevin J. Hickey: * * * SUMMARY This report explains the current law concerning copyright protection for technical standards developed by private organizations and subsequently incorporated by reference into federal, state, or local law. It reviews the outc more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47656) on Aug. 8, 2025, entitled "Copyright in Standards Incorporated by Reference into Law and the Pro Codes Act:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Takings Clause Issues If a government's incorporation by reference diminishes or eliminates copyright protection, it arguably raises questions under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The Takings Clause states that "private property [s more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13084) on Aug. 14, 2025, by labor policy analyst Elizabeth Weber Handwerker. Here are excerpts: * * * Current Employment Survey Monthly Revisions The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was established by An Act to Establish the Bureau of Labor in 1884. In 1913, it was renamed and moved inside the new Department of Labor by An Act to create a Department of Labor. This act was ame more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11697) on Aug. 15, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Defense Primer: Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) The Department of Defense (DOD) is replacing many elements of the U.S. nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) architecture as part of the United States' ongoing efforts to recapitalize its nuclear forces. This architecture - compos more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10519) on Aug. 15, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Strategic Nuclear Forces The United States is in the process of modernizing its strategic nuclear forces. This modernization effort includes numerous Department of Defense (DOD) major defense acquisition programs, some of which are annually assessed by the Government Accou more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12622) on Aug. 11, 2025, by defense policy analyst Jennifer DiMascio. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: The United States Air Force The National Security Act of 1947 (P.L. 80-253, Title II, Sec.207), enacted on July 26, 1947, established the U.S. Air Force as an armed force under the Department of the Air Force (DAF). An executive order signed by then-President Harry S. more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10578) on Aug. 14, 2025, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke: * * * Evolution of U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation For roughly 15 years, successive U.S. and Mexican governments have pursued close bilateral security cooperation. U.S. officials assess that Mexico-based drug cartels continue to pose a national security threat to the United States. Mexican drug more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48623) on Aug. 12, 2025, entitled "Food and Dietary Supplement Labeling Claims: FDA Regulation and Select Legal Issues" by legislative attorney Dorothy C. Kafka. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress has authorized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate nutrient-related claims on food and dietary supplement labels to promote healthful eating patterns, protect the public healt more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48623) on Aug. 12, 2025, entitled "Food and Dietary Supplement Labeling Claims: FDA Regulation and Select Legal Issues:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Legal Issues with Categorizing Claims Legal issues may arise when manufacturers and FDA categorize certain labeling claims. In some cases, FDA has argued that certain claims a manufacturer considers to be health claims render the product  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47623) on July 29, 2025, entitled "Frequently Asked Questions: Mapping of U.S. Ocean and Coastal Waters." The report is written by natural resources and earth sciences analyst Linda R. Rowan and natural resources policy specialists Caitlin Keating-Bitonti, Nicole T. Carter, Laura B. Comay and Eva Lipiec. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Ocean and coastal mapping involves activities that co more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47623) on July 29, 2025, entitled "Frequently Asked Questions - Mapping of U.S. Ocean and Coastal Waters:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * How Are U.S. Bathymetric Data Compiled and Made Available? Congress, through the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, directed a group of federal agencies and departments to 'establish standardized collection and d more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12594) on Aug. 14, 2025, by natural resources policy specialists Pervaze A. Sheikh and Eric P. Nardi. Here are excerpts: * * * International Conservation Funding The United States provides foreign assistance to address international conservation in the form of financial, programmatic, and technical support. International conservation activities include protecting biodiversity,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44152) on Aug. 14, 2025, by reference librarian Audrey Celeste Crane-Hirsch: * * * Labor Day Speech Resources Introduction Labor Day is a federal holiday celebrating the achievements of American workers. Labor Day also symbolically marks the end of summer and, in many states, the beginning of the school year. This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with work-related Labo more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11617) on Aug. 11, 2025, by Middle Eastern affairs specialists Clayton Thomas and Jim Zanotti. Here are excerpts: * * * Lebanon in the past year has experienced fundamental, if fragile, changes. Perhaps most significantly, the Iran-backed Shia Islamist group Lebanese Hezbollah has been significantly weakened, having suffered major losses in armed clashes with Israel. In Novembe more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13015) on Aug. 13, 2025, by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * The Marine Mammal Commission Introduction The Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) is an independent advisory agency of the executive branch that provides "independent, science-based oversight" of federal agency policies and actions addressing human impacts on marine mammals an more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13082) on Aug. 11, 2025, by American national government analyst Sarah J. Eckman and legislative attorney L. Paige Whitaker: * * * Mid-Decade Congressional Redistricting: Key Issues States typically begin their congressional redistricting processes following the decennial U.S. census and apportionment, at which point states with multiple House seats draw congressional district  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41909) on Aug. 7, 2025, entitled "Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary Multiyear procurement (MYP) and block buy contracting (BBC) are special contracting mechanisms that Congress permits the Department of Defense (DOD) to use for a limite more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41909) on Aug. 7, 2025, entitled "Multiyear Procurement (MYP) and Block Buy Contracting in Defense Acquisition - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Issues for Congress Potential issues for Congress concerning MYP and BBC include whether to use MYP and BBC in the future more frequently, less frequently, or about as frequently as they are currently used; an more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48632) on Aug. 15, 2025, entitled "National Alerts: A Primer and Selected Issues for Congress" by telecommunications policy analyst Amanda H. Peskin. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Sending emergency alerts before and during a regional or nationwide emergency to warn people of impending or ongoing danger could encourage them to take protective action that may save lives. The President has a more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43546) on July 30, 2025, entitled "Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The John Lewis (TAO-205) class oiler shipbuilding program is a program to build a new class of 20 fleet oilers for the Navy. The Navy procured the first TAO-205 in FY2016, and a total o more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48610) on July 29, 2025, entitled "Regenerative Agriculture and Related Food Product Labeling and Marketing Claims" by agricultural policy specialist Renee Johnson and agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist Megan Stubbs. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Regenerative agriculture (RA) generally refers to a sustainable agricultural production system centering on soil  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48610) on July 29, 2025, entitled "Regenerative Agriculture and Related Food Product Labeling and Marketing Claims:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Private Sector Activities Efforts to Substantiate Nonfederal Labeling Claims Over the past decade, some large food companies and retailers have embraced regenerative practices and incorporated various sustainability initiatives into their gl more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42037) on July 18, 2025, entitled "SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program" by R. Corinne Blackford, small business and economic development policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Surety Bond Guarantee Program is designed to increase small businesses' access to federal, state, and local government contracting, as well as private-sector contract more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42037) on July 18, 2025, entitled "SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Surety Eligibility Standards, Program Requirements, and Fees Sureties interested in participating in the Prior Approval Program or the Preferred Surety Bond Guarantee Program (PSB program) must apply in writing to the SBA. Applicants must be a corporation listed by the U.S. Treasury as  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12974) on Aug. 13, 2025, by natural resources policy specialist Caitlin Keating-Bitonti and foreign affairs analyst Jared G. Tupuola: * * * Seabed Mining Interests Across the Pacific Islands The Pacific Ocean's seafloor contains mineral-rich deposits of cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, rare earth elements, zinc, and other minerals that may help meet supply demands for energy  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48629) on Aug. 13, 2025, entitled "Small Business Research Programs: Selected Issues for Reauthorization" by Marcy E. Gallo, science and technology policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress established two programs that support small business research and development (R&D): the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 98-279) on Aug. 11, 2025, entitled "Sponsorship and Cosponsorship of Senate Bills" by Congress and legislative process analyst Mark J. Oleszek: * * * Summary A Senator who introduces a bill or resolution in the Senate is called its sponsor. Several Senators together may introduce a measure, but only the Senator whose name appears first on the bill is considered its sponsor; the others are cosp more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10275) on Aug. 15, 2025, by Asian affairs specialist Susan V. Lawrence. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction Taiwan, which formally calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), is a self-governing democracy. Its popularly-elected leaders govern 23.4 million people on the main island of Taiwan and on outlying islands, including the archipelagoes of Penghu, Kinmen, and Mazu. Since more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12668) on Aug. 15, 2025, by defense policy analyst Daniel M. Gettinger. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Army Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Programs The U.S. Army has requested FY2026 funding for small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS, commonly referred to as drones). These systems support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); target acquisition and strike; elect more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13083) on Aug. 11, 2025, by agricultural policy specialists Lisa S. Benson and Christine Whitt: * * * Unauthorized Farmworkers in the United States In June 2025, some news stations reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had conducted immigration raids of farms and meat processing plants in California, Nebraska, New York, and New Mexico, removing workers t more PR