WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12495) on Dec. 15, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Army's M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program Background The M-1 Abrams Tank (Figure 1) is designed to maneuver under fire and destroy enemy armored forces on the battlefield. The M-1 is named for General Creighton Abrams, a noted World War II armored battalion command more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11797) on Dec. 17, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) The Significance of the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russia and China. The Army believes to address this threat, it must be able to operate in a mu more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13135) on Dec. 17, 2025, by health policy analyst Nora Wells: * * * Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Care: Recent Federal Activity The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care has been of increased interest to recent federal administrations. Under the Biden Administration, AI in health care policy was generally characterized by a focus on risk mitigation. Under more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13136) on Dec. 18, 2025, by agricultural policy analyst Zachary T. Neuhofer: * * * Changes to the Statutory Definition of Hemp and Issues for Congress The FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act (P.L. 119-37, Division B) amends the statutory definition of hemp in 7 U.S.C. Sec.1639o established by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334, Sec.10113). T more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10880) on Dec. 17, 2025, by Peter J. Meyer, Latin American and Canadian affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Chile: An Overview Chile, located along the Pacific coast of South America (Figure 1), traditionally has been a close U.S. partner in Latin America. The 119th Congress may assess U.S. economic and security ties with Chile, including the impact of U.S. tariffs, c more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11737) on Dec. 16, 2025, by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr: * * * China: Nuclear and Missile Proliferation The U.S. government has for decades expressed concerns about China's proliferation of nuclear- and missile-related technologies to other countries, with more recent focus on the threat of Chinese acquisition of U.S.-origin nuclear technology. (See CRS In Focus IF more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12630) on Dec. 18, 2025, by social policy analyst Zhe Li. Here are excerpts: * * * Claiming Age Clarity Act (H.R. 5284): Background for Congress The Claiming Age Clarity Act (H.R. 5284) was introduced by Representative Lloyd Smucker on September 10, 2025. S. 1504, an identical bill, was introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy on April 29, 2025. The bills would change certain terms t more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48284) on Dec. 15, 2025, entitled "The Congressional Budget Resolution: Frequently Asked Questions" by Tori Gorman, Congress and legislative process analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (the Budget Act) provides for the adoption of a concurrent resolution on the budget by April 15 each year for the fiscal year beginning October 1. By writing a budget more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12687) on Dec. 15, 2025, by research librarian Scott Vierick and natural resources policy analyst Eric P. Nardi: * * * Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Public Parks Congress has established programs to assist constituents - including individuals, organizations, tribes, and state and local governments - with projects to establish or upgrade public parks and rela more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10831) on Dec. 18, 2025, by Cameron M. Keys, defense logistics and resource management policy analyst and Alexandra G. Neenan, defense policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) Background The Future Years Defense Program (FYDP, commonly pronounced "fye-dip") is a projection of the forces, resources, and programs to support De more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48768) on Dec. 17, 2025, entitled "The Department of Education's Proposed Rule to Define "Professional Student": Frequently Asked Questions" by social policy specialist Alexandra Hegji. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Title VIII of P.L. 119-21 (also referred to as the FY2025 budget reconciliation law) amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to update several aspects of the William D. more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13118) on Dec. 18, 2025, by energy policy analysts Martin C. Offutt and Lexie Ryan. Here are excerpts: * * * DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Appropriations, FY2026 The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is responsible for renewable energy and end-use energy efficiency technology development. Other activ more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12627) on Dec. 15, 2025, by legislative attorney April J. Anderson and small business and economic development policy analyst R. Corinne Blackford: Here are excerpts: * * * DOT Interim Final Rule on DBE Program The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) making immediate changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program on October more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS20348) on Dec. 18, 2025, entitled "Federal Funding Gaps: A Brief Overview" by James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.1341-1342, 1511-1519) generally bars the obligation of funds in the absence of appropriations. Exceptions are made under the act, including for activities involving "the safety  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12147) on Dec. 15, 2025, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * The Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet The size and composition of the Federal Reserve's (Fed's) balance sheet is a product of its monetary policy and lender-of-last-resort activities. The balance sheet has increased to counter past crises and peaked at 10 times its size before the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46797) on Dec. 16, 2025, entitled "Finding Medicare Fee-For-Service Payment System Rules: Schedules and Resources" by senior research librarian Michele L. Malloy. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) program pays physicians, hospitals, and other health care facilities based on statutorily established payment systems, most of which are updated annually through r more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12629) on Dec. 16, 2025, by social policy analyst Kara Clifford Billings: * * * FY2025 Budget Reconciliation: Implications for USDA's Child Nutrition Efforts The FY2025 budget reconciliation act (P.L. 119-21) did not make direct changes to the National School Lunch Program or other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-administered child nutrition programs. However, reductions i more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12527) on Dec. 17, 2025. The white paper is written by natural resources policy specialist Mariel J. Murray, legislative attorney Madeline W. Donley and telecommunications policy specialist Dana A. Scherer: * * * Indian Gaming Regulatory Act: Gaming on "Indian Lands" Overview In the 1970s, some federally recognized Tribes (hereinafter "Tribes") established bingo gaming to rai more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. 98-684) on Dec. 18, 2025, by senior research librarian Carla Y. Davis-Castro. Here are excerpts: * * * This report provides the results of recent presidential elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. Below are three tables, organized by region, that include the date of each country's independence, the name of the most recently elected president or prime minister, and the projected dat more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13137) on Dec. 18, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke and defense policy analyst Hannah D. Dennis: * * * National Defense Strategy: Potential Implications for DOD of Prioritizing the Western Hemisphere and China The 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) outlines the second Trump Administration's aim to shift how U.S. foreign policy prioritizes different regi more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13133) on Dec. 16, 2025, by health policy analyst Thomas P. Hackman and senior research librarian Michele L. Malloy. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of the Medicare Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model On June 22, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new prior authorization (PA) initiative in traditional Medicare, the Was more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12639) on Dec. 15, 2025, by economic development policy analyst Adam G. Levin: * * * SBA's Rural Activities The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA's) mission is to "aid, counsel, assist, and protect" the interests of small businesses. While SBA generally helps small businesses regardless of location, small businesses may constitute a larger proportion of businesses in ru more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12874) on Dec. 15, 2025, by Marcy E. Gallo, science and technology policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Small Business Research Programs: Overview and Issues for Reauthorization in the 119th Congress Small businesses are often viewed as being critical to the economy - creating jobs, improving productivity, and advancing innovation. Given the perceived importance of small b more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10519) on Dec. 16, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Strategic Nuclear Forces The Department of Defense (DOD), which is "using a secondary Department of War designation," under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, is in the process of modernizing U.S. strategic nuclear forces. This modernization effort includes num more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12430) on Dec. 16, 2025, by Kyla H. Kitamura, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Congress established the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (P.L. 87-794) to provide targeted recovery plans to U.S. firms impacted by import competition. TAAF is administer more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL34397) on Dec. 16, 2025, entitled "Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts: A Primer" by income security analyst Elizabeth A. Myers. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In response to concerns over the adequacy of retirement savings, Congress has created incentives to encourage individuals to save for retirement through a variety of retirement plans. Some retirement plans are emplo more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL34397) on Dec. 16, 2025, entitled "Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts - A Primer:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Rollovers Rollovers are transfers of assets from one retirement plan to another upon separation of the worker from the original employer. Rollovers are not subject to the 591/2 rule, the 10% penalty, or the contribution limit. * Rollovers to traditional IR more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11662) on Dec. 16, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink and nonproliferation specialist Mary Beth D. Nikitin: * * * U.S. Nuclear Weapons Tests The United States has observed a voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing since 1992, although it has maintained the ability to resume these tests at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). Since 1993, the United State more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13134) on Dec. 17, 2025, by foreign policy legislation specialist Matthew C. Weed: * * * Understanding the War Powers Resolution Under the Constitution, authority concerning the use of the military is divided between Congress and the President. In the wake of the Vietnam War, concern increased in Congress about presidential use of U.S. Armed Forces without congressional authori more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12698) on Dec. 16, 2025, by natural resource policy specialist Paul K. Kerr: Here are excerpts: * * * Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3816 and H.R. 5089) Hazardous weather and climate events kill hundreds of people and cause billions of dollars of property damage in the United States each year. In 2024, for instance, the United States experienced 27 weather and c more PR