WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44136) on Feb. 12, 2026, by health policy specialist Amanda K. Sarata and research assistant Sylvia L. Bryan. Here are excerpts: * * * The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Budget: Fact Sheet The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the federal agency charged with supporting research designed to im more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12171) on Feb. 5, 2026, by income security specialist John J. Topoleski: * * * Benefit Reductions to Participants in Delphi Pension Plans Introduction Delphi Technologies is a parts and components supplier to automakers that was spun off from General Motors (GM) in 1999. In May 2009, Delphi's pension plans were terminated, and responsibility for the payment of plan participant more PR

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. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10349) on Feb. 9, 2026, by Bryce H. P. Mendez, defense health care policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Funding for FY2026 Members of Congress are frequently lobbied to add funding to annual defense appropriation legislation for certain medical research programs on a wide variety of diseases and topics. In addressing an more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11395) on Feb. 12, 2026, by legislative attorney Todd Garvey: * * * A Tale of Two Immunities: Constitutional Protections for Members of Congress and Presidents When Speaking to the Public Presidents and Members of Congress regularly communicate with the American public. When the President speaks directly to the people, he is often either conveying information or using the more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48302) on Jan. 22, 2026, entitled "Critical Minerals on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Role and Issues for Congress" by natural resources policy specialists Caitlin Keating-Bitonti and Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The first and second Trump Administrations and the Biden Administration have issued executive orders announcing U.S.  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48302) on Jan. 22, 2026, entitled "Critical Minerals on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Role and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Critical Mineral Research and Evaluation Activities on the Outer Continental Shelf In addition to administering the marine mineral leasing program for the OCS, BOEM has the responsibility to evalu more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10514) on Feb. 11, 2026, by James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process specialist and Cameron M. Keys, defense logistics and resource management policy analyst: * * * Defense Primer: Defense Appropriations Process The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse in Article I, Section 9, which provides that "No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequ more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10599) on Feb. 11, 2026, by defense policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Procurement Overview While procurement implies a process of obtaining goods or services, the word also refers to a specific title and to associated accounts within the typically annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Department of Defense Appropriatio more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48768) on Feb. 5, 2026, entitled "Reserve Funds in the Congressional Budget Process: 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. Ford Federal Direct Loan (D more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12654) on Feb. 11, 2026, by defense policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan and legislative attorney Matthew D. Trout: * * * Executive Order on Defense Contracting The Department of Defense (DOD), which is "using a secondary Department of War designation" under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, relies on a large and complex defense industrial base (DIB) to produce materi more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12640) on Feb. 9, 2026, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Extension of New START Central Limits: Overview of the Expert Debate The New START Treaty, a 2010 arms control agreement that imposes numerical caps (or central limits) on deployed U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons at intercontinental ranges, is set to expire on February 5, 2026. The treaty's provisions do not  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12588) on Feb. 11, 2026, by financial economics specialist Darryl E. Getter: * * * Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Adopt Alternative Credit Scores Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises that collectively guarantee the default risks for a large share of U.S. single-family mortgages. The two are adopting scoring metrics that incorporate available rent, utiliti more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12655) on Feb. 12, 2026, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte: * * * Financial Stability and Economic Growth The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), an interagency council headed by the Treasury Secretary and composed primarily of financial regulators, has been tasked with monitoring and mitigating systemic risks to financial stability. (For background, see  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11393) on Feb. 10, 2026, by legislative attorneys Cassandra J. Barnum and Peter G. Berris: * * * The Fourth Amendment Meets the Fourth Estate: Law Enforcement Searches of Journalists Law enforcement searches or confiscations of news media materials can raise questions about the intersection of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press, more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12653) on Feb. 10, 2026, by Congress and legislative process specialist Valerie Heitshusen and defense policy analyst Daniel M. Gettinger. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2026 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity On May 2, 2025, President Donald Trump submitted documentation supporting the FY2026 budget request, including proposed funding for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), at more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48852) on Feb. 10, 2026, entitled "Geofence and Keyword Searches: Reverse Warrants and the Fourth Amendment" by legislative attorneys Peter G. Berris and Clay Wild. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY From thermal imaging and wiretaps to Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking and various forms of electronic eavesdropping, law enforcement's use of emerging technologies is sometimes in tension  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48852) on Feb. 10, 2026, entitled "Geofence and Keyword Searches: Reverse Warrants and the Fourth Amendment:" (Continued form Part 1 of 2) * * * Constitutionality of Geofence Searches As previously discussed, determining the constitutionality of geofence searches typically involves two discrete analyses - whether the collection of geofence data itself constitutes a Fourth Amendment search,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11583) on Feb. 9, 2026, by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr: * * * Iran's Nuclear Program and UN Sanctions Reimposition UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), which the council adopted on July 20, 2015, implements the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and contains other provisions concerning Iran's nuclear program, Tehran's development of missiles, and arm more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44363) on Feb. 5, 2026, by Maya V. Thomas, reference and digital services librarian: * * * National African American History Month Speech Resources: Fact Sheet SUMMARY This fact sheet links to authoritative information resources related to National African American History Month, which is also referred to as African American History Month and Black History Month. It is designed to assist 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 1 of 3) * * * AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project Overview In September 2021, the Australian, UK, and U.S. governments announced a significant new security partnership, called AUKUS (pronounced AW-kus, rhyming with ca 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 In Focus white paper (No. IF13090) on Feb. 12, 2026, by natural resources policy analyst 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 Ja more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13006) on Feb. 12, 2026, by Kyla H. Kitamura, international trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress power to impose duties and regulate foreign commerce. Congress has delegated some of these authorities to the President through statutes. Section 232 of the Tr more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11346) on Feb. 12, 2026, by Danielle M. Trachtenberg, international trade and finance analyst: * * * Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 Title III of the Trade Act of 1974 (Sections 301-310, 19 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.2411-2420), titled "Relief from Unfair Trade Practices," is often collectively referred to as "Section 301." Under Section 301, Congress grants the Office of the United S more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46658) on Jan. 26, 2026, entitled "Social Security: Benefit Calculation" by social policy specialist Barry F. Huston. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI), commonly referred to on a combined basis as OASDI, are social insurance programs that protect insured workers and their family members against loss of income due to old age, 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 Insight white paper (No. IN12564) on Feb. 12, 2026, by Megan S. Lynch and James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process specialists: * * * Statutory PAYGO and Budget Reconciliation Legislation This Insight provides a brief overview of statutory PAYGO, its application to reconciliation legislation, and the ways in which it has been addressed in relation to previously enacted budget reconciliation leg more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13166) on Feb. 10, 2026, by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Supreme Court Decisions Without a Majority Since 1869, the size of the U.S. Supreme Court has been set by statute at nine Justices. By longstanding Court practice, all of the Justices participate in most merits decisions and many other types of decisions, and the Court determines the outcome by majority vot more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11396) on Feb. 12, 2026, by legislative attorney Jennifer A. Staman: * * * Supreme Court to Examine ERISA Pleading Standards In January 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Anderson v. Intel Corp. Investment Policy Committee, a case about what retirement plan participants and other plaintiffs must allege in a complaint to sue plan fiduciaries under the Employee Retireme more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11394) on Feb. 12, 2026, by legislative attorneys Dave S. Sidhu and Cassandra J. Barnum: * * * Supreme Court Upholds Warrantless Entry in Emergency Aid Case On January 14, 2026, the Supreme Court in Case v. Montana resolved when, under the Fourth Amendment, law enforcement may enter a home without a warrant to render aid in response to a public safety emergency inside. Pr more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12955) on Feb. 10, 2026. The white paper is written by internet and telecommunications policy specialist Patricia Moloney Figliola and telecommunications policy specialists Colby Leigh Pechtol, Jill C. Gallagher and Amanda H. Peskin: * * * Telecommunications and the 119th Congress: A Primer on Programs, Authorities, and Emerging Issues The development and implementation of U. more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48520) on Feb. 11, 2026, entitled "Telecommunications: CRS Products" by senior research librarian Rachael D. Roan: * * * SUMMARY Telecommunications infrastructure and programs have a long history of congressional interest and present several issues for policymakers, including those related to fifth-generation (5G) and next-generation technologies, broadband deployment, emergency communication 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

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:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Furthering State Flexibility: Limitation on Federal Regulatory Authority TANF's purpose of increasing flexibility is reinforced by a statutory limitation on federal regulation of state behavior under the block grant: 'No officer or employee of the Fed more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13128) on Feb. 9, 2026, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert and Army fellow Ebrima M'Bai. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S. Army's Mobile Brigade Combat Team (MBCT) The Mobile Brigade Combat Team (MBCT) The U.S. Army is developing a type of formation called the Mobile Brigade Combat Team (MBCT) to enhance the mobility, flexibility, and survivability of Infant more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48846) on Feb. 6, 2026, entitled "The U.S. Courts of Appeals: Background and Circuit Splits from 2025." The report is written by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia, supervisory attorneys Craig W. Canetti and Tamsin G. Harrington. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Courts of Appeals frequently act as the final arbiters of questions of law within their respective jurisdicti more PR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12604) on Feb. 5, 2026, by defense health policy analyst Hannah D. Dennis and Asian affairs analyst Caitlin Campbell. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM, commonly referred to as INDOPACOM) is one of 11 unified combatant commands in the Department of Defense (DOD, which is "using a secondary Depa more PR