WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47705) on Feb. 3, 2026, entitled "Congressional Rules Pertaining to Changes in Mandatory Program Spending in Appropriations Bills (CHIMPs)." The report is written by Drew C. Aherne, Megan S. Lynch and James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process specialists: * * * SUMMARY When Congress considers legislation, it takes into account the proposal's potential budgetary effects. This helps  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10600) on Feb. 6, 2026, by defense policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Department of Defense Contractors Throughout its history, the Department of Defense (DOD), which is "using a secondary Department of War designation," under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, has relied on contractors to support a wide range of military op more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL32418) on January 26, 2026, entitled "Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Virginia-class submarine program. The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998, and a total of 41 hav more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL32418) on January 26, 2026, entitled "Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Arguments for Instead Implementing Alternative Division-of-Labor Approach Supporters of the alternative division-of-labor approach for performing SSN missions and non- SSN missions outlined earlier - in  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS22937) on Feb. 10, 2026, entitled "Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer" by nonproliferation specialists Paul K. Kerr and Mary Beth D. Nikitin. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In order for the United States to engage in significant civilian nuclear cooperation with other states, it must conclude a framework agreement that meets specific requirements under Section 123 of the A more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48828) entitled "State and Local Homeland Security: DHS Preparedness Grants" by Shawn Reese, emergency management and homeland security policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress expanded support for state and local homeland security efforts. This included creating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and giving it the auth more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48413) on Feb. 5, 2026, entitled "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Primer" by social policy specialist Gene Falk. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides federal grants to the 50 states, District of Columbia, and territories (collectively, "states"), as well as Indian tribes. TANF helps fund state-r more PR