WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11357) on Sept. 2, 2025, by legislative attorney Benjamin M. Barczewski: * * * "Set Aside" and Vacatur Under the Administrative Procedure Act A growing dispute over the scope of judicial remedies permitted under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) has generated considerable discussion across multiple levels of the federal judiciary. In a 2022 high-profile exchange at t more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12379) on Sept. 4, 2025, by public finance analyst Brendan McDermott: * * * The 45F Tax Credit for Employer-Provided Child Care Introduction Many working families across the country struggle to find affordable child care. Employer-provided child care is one model that could align the needs of some working families with the needs of some employers. Families may find that employ more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12331) on Sept. 2, 2025, by Asian affairs specialist Ben Dolven. Here are excerpts: * * * Burma: Background and Issues for Congress Overview Burma (also known as Myanmar) is a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian nation of 57.5 million that has been under some degree of military rule since 1962 and under an authoritarian military junta since a February 2021 coup d'etat. The coup ende more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11719) on Sept. 4, 2025, by Asian affairs analyst Caitlin Campbell: * * * China Primer: The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Overview The People's Liberation Army (PLA) serves the Communist Party of China (CPC), the ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC or China). The PLA was established in 1927 during the rise of the CPC and China's civil war, and predates the fou more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R48174) on Aug. 25, 2025, by Senior Knowledge Management Librarian Kelly M. Hoffman: * * * Constitution Day and Citizenship Day: Fact Sheet Contents Introduction ... 1 Background ... 1 Legislation ... 2 Related CRS ... 2 Selected Congressional Statements and Remarks ... 3 Selected Presidential Proclamations and Remarks ... 3 Government Resources ... 4 Contacts Author Inform more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11359) on Sept. 4, 2025, by legislative attorney Justin C. Chung: * * * Centro de Trabajadores Unidos v. Bessent: D.C. Circuit Considers IRS-ICE Information-Sharing Agreement On April 7, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU or information-sharing agreement) to establish proce more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10484) on Aug. 25, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke: * * * Defense Primer: Department of the Navy One Military Department with Two Military Services The Department of the Navy (DON) is a single military department that includes two military services - the Navy and the Marine Corps. As such, DON has a single civilian leader, the Secretary of the Navy, and two f more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12598) on Aug. 25, 2025, by economic policy analyst D. Andrew Austin: * * * Dismissals of Members of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board On Friday, August 1, 2025, President Trump dismissed five of the seven members of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB or Oversight Board): Arthur J. Gonzalez, Cameron McKenzie, Betty A. Rosa, Juan A.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12611) on Aug. 25, 2025, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security specialist: * * * DOD Replicator Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction Replicator, unveiled on August 28, 2023, is a Department of Defense (DOD) initiative, led by DOD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), to field thousands of uncrewed systems by August 2025. Replicator's fi more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12768) on Aug. 25, 2025, by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM; Figure 1) is a systems-level management approach for living marine resources (LMRs) that accounts for an ecosystem's physical, biological, economic, and social components. This approach to fis more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R46858) on Sept. 2, 2025, by senior research librarian Sofia Plagakis. Here are excerpts: * * * Europe: Fact Sheet on Parliamentary and Presidential Elections * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 European Elections in 2025 ... 2 European Parliamentary and Presidential Elections ... 4 Figures Figure 1. European Elections in 2025 ... 3 Tables Table 1. European Parliamentary and Preside more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13093) on Aug. 25, 2025. The white paper is written by government organization and management analyst Natalie R. Ortiz, financial economics specialist Darryl E. Getter and research assistant Graham C. Tufts: * * * Financial Data Transparency Act: Implementation Status of Data Standards and Related Data Collection Issues The Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA, P.L. 117-263 S more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47693) on Sept. 2, 2025, entitled "Government Shutdowns and Executive Branch Operations: Frequently Asked Questions." The report is written by Taylor N. Riccard and Clinton T. Brass, government organization and management specialists and Barbara L. Schwemle, American national government analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Frequently Asked Questions ... 1 How do  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12888) on Sept. 2, 2025, by natural resources policy specialists Carol Hardy Vincent and Laura B. Comay: * * * The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA): Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)? The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA; P.L. 116-152) established in the U.S. Treasury a new fund - the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11351) on Aug. 25, 2025, by legislative attorneys Wen W. Shen and Jennifer A. Staman: * * * High Court Rejects Private Challenges to Medicaid Provider Requirements In June 2025, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, holding that private litigants cannot sue under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983 (Section 1983) to challenge a state's deci more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12604) on Sept. 4, 2025, by Asian affairs analyst Ricardo Barrios and South Asian affairs specialist K. Alan Kronstadt: * * * The Indian Prime Minister's 2025 Visit to China and India-China Relations On August 31, 2025, India's Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi traveled to the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China), where he met PRC leader Xi Jinping. The visit - Modi's firs more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48612) on July 31, 2025, entitled "Legislative Branch: FY2026 Appropriations" by Congress specialist Ida A. Brudnick. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Congressional Workplace Rights; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Lib more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48612) on July 31, 2025, entitled "Legislative Branch - FY2026 Appropriations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * House of Representatives Overall Funding The House requested $2.086 billion for FY2026, an increase of $207.8 million (+11.1%). The House-reported bill would provide $1.984 billion, an increase of $106.5 million (+5.7%)./21 Additional information on headings in the House of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12601) on Sept. 2, 2025, by domestic security analyst Kristin Finklea: * * * Non-Intrusive Inspection Equipment to Counter Illicit Drug Flows In policy discussions around drug trafficking and elevated overdose deaths related to illicit opioids and other drugs, some observers have looked to the tools border officials have in place to help detect and stop the flow of illicit drugs more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12714) on Sept. 2, 2025, by American national government analyst Taylor R. Knoedl. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of FY2026 Budget Request for the Census Bureau Introduction As a Department of Commerce agency, the Census Bureau is funded through the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill. This In Focus provides an overview of the U.S. Ce more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13096) on Sept. 4, 2025, by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Introduction The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) provides federal funding for the protection, conservation, and restoration of Pacific salmon species (Oncorhynchus spp.) and steelhead trout (O. mykiss) that are listed  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13090) on Aug. 25, 2025, by natural resources policy Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument: Commercial Fishing Interests and Considerations for Congress Introduction The Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (PIHMNM; Figure 1), known as the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument until January 2, more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 98-306) on Aug. 29, 2025, entitled "Points of Order, Rulings and Appeals in the Senate" by Congress and legislative process Valerie Heitshusen: * * * The Senate's presiding officer typically does not have responsibility for proactively ensuring that Senate consideration of matters complies with the rules. Instead, Senators may enforce the Senate's legislative rules and precedents by raising poi more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13017) on Sept. 2, 2025, by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * President Trump's April 2025 Executive Order on American Seafood Competitiveness: Considerations for U.S. Fisheries Introduction On April 17, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14276, "Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness," which required multiple f more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11159) on Sept. 4, 2025, by public finance analyst Brendan McDermott. Here are excerpts: * * * The Retirement Savings Contribution Credit and the Saver's Match The Retirement Savings Contribution Credit (Internal Revenue Code [IRC] Sec.25B) - commonly referred to as the Saver's Credit - is a tax expenditure meant to encourage low- and moderate-income taxpayers to save for reti more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13095) on Sept. 2, 2025, by R. Corinne Blackford, small business and economic development policy analyst: * * * Small Business Joint Ventures in Federal Procurement Joint ventures are teams of businesses that work together to obtain and perform a federal contract or subcontract. Certain joint ventures may seek and perform contracts specifically designated for "small" business c more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11358) on Sept. 3, 2025, by legislative attorney L. Paige Whitaker: * * * Campaign Finance: Supreme Court Scheduled to Consider Constitutionality of Coordinated Party Expenditure Limits The Supreme Court is scheduled to once again consider the constitutionality of a federal campaign finance law. In National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) v. Federal Election Commis more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11350) on Aug. 25, 2025, by legislative attorney Kevin J. Hickey: * * * Supreme Court to Examine Liability of Internet Service Providers for Their Users' Copyright Infringement The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear arguments in Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment during its October 2025 term. Cox v. Sony is a high-stakes copyright dispute brought by r more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12646) on Aug. 25, 2025, by Asian affairs specialist Susan V. Lawrence. Here are excerpts: * * * Taiwan and the International Community Introduction Taiwan, the self-governing Asian democracy that formally calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), has struggled to maintain "international space" for itself in the world. The People's Republic of China (PRC) has never controlled more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11266) on Sept. 3, 2025, by legislative attorney Valerie C. Brannon: * * * Technology Regulation: CRS Legal Products for the 119th Congress In recent years, some Members of Congress have considered policy options related to social media platforms and other information and telecommunications technologies. These deliberations may continue to be of interest to the 119th Cong more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13092) on Aug. 25, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert and Army fellow Ebrima M'Bai. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S. Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) The ISV (Error! Reference source not found.) is a lightweight, unarmored ground transport vehicle developed by GM Defense (headquartered in Detroit, MI) intended to en more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13097) on Sept. 4, 2025, by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. National Symbols: Congressional Designation and Past Practices As codified in Title 36 of the U.S. Code, Congress has designated a national anthem ("The Star-Spangled Banner"), a national motto ("In God we trust"), a national floral emblem (the rose), a national march ("The Stars and more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12390) on Sept. 4, 2025, by Liana W. Rosen, international sanctions and financial crimes specialist: * * * U.S. Sanctions: Overview for the 119th Congress Introduction Economic sanctions represent a constellation of coercive measures imposed for foreign policy or national security reasons. They may be imposed unilaterally or multilaterally against a target to bring about a cha more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12840) on Sept. 4, 2025, by defense policy analyst Jennifer DiMascio. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM or SPACECOM) is one of 11 unified combatant commands (CCMDs) within the Department of Defense (DOD) and is responsible for U.S. military operations in space. The term unified combatant command refers to "a m more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11353) on Aug. 27, 2025, by legislative attorney Milan N. Ball: * * * United States v. Ahlgren: A Study in Lost Cryptocurrency Tax Revenue On December 12, 2024, in United States v. Ahlgren, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas sentenced Frank Richard Ahlgren to 24 months in prison. The Department of Justice described the case as the "first criminal ta more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12595) on Sept. 4, 2025, by Kyla H. Kitamura, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Canada Trade Relations The United States and Canada have had one of the largest bilateral trade relationships in the world, including highly integrated energy and automotive markets. Since 1989, U.S.-Canada trade has been governed by the U.S.-Canada Free Trade A more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12903) on Aug. 25, 2025, by South Asian affairs specialist K. Alan Kronstadt and international trade and finance specialist Shayerah I. Akhtar. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-India Relations: A Summary India, the world's largest democracy and most populous country, overtook Japan in 2025 to become the fourth-largest economy. India's expanding strategic horizons and increased en more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48676) on Sept. 3, 2025, entitled "U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement: Background and Issues for Congress" by Kyla H. Kitamura, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Amid growing global demand for critical minerals, Congress has been deliberating how to secure U.S. access to such goods. The United States has become highly reliant on foreign imports of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48676) on Sept. 3, 2025, entitled "U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * The U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement The United States and Japan signed the U.S.-Japan CMA on March 28, 2023. The U.S.-Japan CMA's stated objective is to "strengthen and diversify critical minerals supply chains and promote the adoption of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13091) on Aug. 25, 2025, by legislative attorney Cassandra J. Barnum: * * * The Void-for-Vagueness Doctrine in Criminal Law Vagueness as Constitutional Violation Defendants in federal criminal cases often challenge their prosecutions by arguing that the laws they allegedly violated are unconstitutionally vague. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires that no pers more PR