WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13003) by immigration policy analyst Holly Straut-Eppsteiner and legislative attorney Alejandra Aramayo: * * * Alien Registration Requirements Section 1302, Title 8 of the U.S. Code requires aliens (i.e., non-U.S. citizens or nationals) who are age 14 and older and present in the United States for 30 days or more to apply for registration and fingerprinting with immigration authorities. Parents or legal guardians of children un more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12006) by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Status of Oil and Gas Program The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR, or the Refuge) comprises 19 million acres in northeast Alaska, administered primarily by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in the Department of the Interior (DOI). ANWR's Coastal Plain - a 1.57-million-acre area in the northern part of more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13269) by science and technology policy analyst Todd Kuiken: * * * Artificial Intelligence and Biosecurity Issues Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term generally used to refer to computerized systems that work and react in ways commonly thought to require human intelligence. AI technologies, methodologies, and applications may benefit biological sciences research and development (R&D). For example, AI could be used in conjunct more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12724) by firearms policy analyst Jordan B. Cohen: * * * ATF's Proposed Rules for Firearms Imports On May 8, 2026, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued a series of proposed rules that would change how it regulates firearms. Amongst these changes are two clarifying rules that affect how ATF regulates firearms imports. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) at 91 Federal Register 25159 would defin more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12378) by macroeconomic policy Marc Labonte: * * * Bank Failures: The FDIC's Systemic Risk Exception When Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank failed in March 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) guaranteed uninsured deposits at those banks under the statutory systemic risk exception to least-cost resolution (LCR; 12 U.S.C. Sec.1823(c)(4)(G)). (The FDIC insures deposits up to a statutory limit of $250, more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12891) by Asian trade and finance specialist Karen M. Sutter and international trade and finance analyst Michael D. Sutherland. Here are excerpts: * * * China's E-Commerce Exports and U.S. De Minimis Policies The People's Republic of China's (PRC's or China's) e-commerce policies have promoted PRC exports while limiting the scope of PRC e-commerce imports. Between 2018 and 2025, the PRC expanded its global e-commerce exports m more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48089) on July 31, 2026, entitled "Columbia River System Operations and the Future of the Lower Snake River Dams." The report is written by natural resources policy specialists Anna E. Normand, and Pervaze A. Sheikh, and research planning coordinator Erin H. Ward. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress has repeatedly debated how to operate and allocate resources from federal water resources projects - such as multipurpose federal dams - more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48089) on July 31, 2026, entitled "Columbia River System Operations and the Future of the Lower Snake River Dams:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Snake River Salmon and Steelhead Trout Populations Listed Under the ESA The ESA was enacted to conserve species identified as endangered or threatened and their habitats./52 Three species of anadromous fishes listed under the ESA are currently found in the Snake River: Chinook salmon (Oncorhync more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48089) on July 31, 2026, entitled "Columbia River System Operations and the Future of the Lower Snake River Dams:" (Continued from Part 2 of 4) * * * Conserving and Restoring Snake River Fishes Federal, state, local, and tribal stakeholders have conducted activities to conserve and restore Snake River salmon and steelhead trout. Most federal activities aimed at restoring salmon and steelhead trout in the Columbia River Basin are implemented  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48089) on July 31, 2026, entitled "Columbia River System Operations and the Future of the Lower Snake River Dams:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * 2020 Biological Opinion, Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision In response to the court's order and a presidential memorandum dated October 19, 2018,/217 NMFS issued a new final BiOp (2020 BiOp) for operation of the Columbia River System in July 2020./218 The 2020 BiOp determine more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49052) on July 30, 2026, entitled "A Comparison of Two Open-Source Tax Microsimulation Models" by economics specialist Mark P. Keightley and public finance analyst Brendan McDermott. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY CRS has recently begun using two open-source microsimulation tax models to estimate the revenue effects of changes to federal tax law: the Budget Lab at Yale's (TBL's) Tax-Simulator and the Policy Simulation Library's (PSL's) Tax more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following report entitled "The Navy's New Battleship Program: Costs and Implications for the Shipbuilding Industrial Base." Here are excerpts: * * * Summary In this report, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the potential costs of the Navy's new nuclear-powered battleship procurement program. It also assesses how the new battleship and frigate programs outlined in the Navy's most recent shipbuilding plan would affect the shipbuilding industrial base. CBO's fin more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49057) on July 31, 2026, entitled "Data Centers and Water: Frequently Asked Questions." The report is written by section research manager, Peter Folger, environmental policy specialists Elena H. Humphreys and Laura Gatz, energy policy specialist Corrie E. Clark, natural resources policy specialists Nicole T. Carter, Anna E. Normand and Charles V. Stern: * * * SUMMARY The expanding use of artificial intelligence and other trends in computing more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49057) on July 31, 2026, entitled "Data Centers and Water - Frequently Asked Questions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Water Sources and Authorities What Are the Potential Water Sources Available for Data Centers?/14 Operators of data centers can acquire water from several sources. Commonly used sources include municipal drinking water systems; treated wastewater, which can be referred to as water reuse (for more information, see "What more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49057) on July 31, 2026, entitled "Data Centers and Water - Frequently Asked Questions:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Water Quality Impacts from Data Center Discharges What Types of Water-Related Discharges Do Data Centers Generate?/99 Data centers may generate different types of water-related discharges (i.e., effluents), including wastewater and stormwater discharges. In addition, in some cases when land is developed to construct da more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45208) on July 24, 2026, entitled "Daylight Saving Time (DST)" by energy policy specialist Corrie E. Clark and senior research librarian Lynn J. Cunningham: * * * SUMMARY Daylight saving time (DST) is a period of the year between spring and fall when clocks in most parts of the United States are set one hour ahead of standard time. DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. The beginning and ending date more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45208) on July 24, 2026, entitled "Daylight Saving Time:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Department of Transportation's Regulation of Time Zones Although states may exempt themselves, in whole or in part, from DST, they cannot independently change time zones or alter the length of DST (i.e., DST begins and ends on statutorily mandated dates). There are two ways in which an area can be moved from one time zone to another: by regulation o more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10543) by senior research manager Michael J. Vassalotti: * * * Defense Primer: The Department of Defense The Department of Defense (DOD) was established after World War II by the 1947 National Security Act (P.L. 80-253). At the time, some policymakers, including former President Truman, took the view that the different components of the U.S. military had been insufficiently integrated to wage World War II effectively. Congress' more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49046) on July 27, 2026, entitled "Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations: Funding History and Agency Descriptions" by natural resources policy specialist Anna E. Normand and energy policy specialist Mark Holt. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations (E&W) bill, typically enacted on an annual basis, funds civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of E more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49046) on July 27, 2026, entitled "Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations - Funding History and Agency Descriptions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Department of Energy The E&W regular appropriations acts typically have funded nearly all DOE programs./20 Major DOE activities are authorized under multiple energy statutes and include the following: * research and development (R&D) on renewable energy, energy ef more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49046) on July 27, 2026, entitled "Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations - Funding History and Agency Descriptions:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) ARPA-E is a DOE office authorized by the America COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69) to support transformational technological advances in energy technology research "in areas where industry by itself is not likely to inve more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13217) by science and technology policy analyst Laurie Harris and industrial organization and business policy specialist Clare Y. Cho: * * * Federal Government and Anthropic: Considerations for AI Innovation and Competition On February 27, 2026, President Trump directed federal agencies to stop using technology developed by the U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12722) by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Banks, which are at the center of the payment system, can directly settle payments through master accounts held at the Federal Reserve (Fed). In recent years, crypto and fintech firms have applied for master accounts, sometimes experiencing rejection or relatively long waits for approval. For more information, see CRS Insight IN12031, Federal Reserv more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12197) by firearms policy analyst Jordan B. Cohen: * * * Firearms Dealers "Engaged in the Business" On June 25, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA; P.L. 117-159). Section 12002 of P.L. 117-159 amended definitions related to firearms dealer licensure in the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA, 18 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.921 et seq.). Under the GCA, the definition of "engaged in the business" und more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44692) on July 29, 2026, entitled "Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief" by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Leasing Program Status ... 1 Change to Framework for Environmental Analysis ... 3 P.L. 119-21: Lease Sales Outside the Five-Year Program ... 4 Selected Issues for Congress ... 4 Issues Related to the 2024-2029 Program ... 4 Regional Leasing more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13282) by transportation policy analyst Ben Goldman: * * * Freight Rail Automation: Driverless Trains, Automated Inspections and Other Technologies Technological advances and cost-cutting pressures in railroading have contributed to smaller train crews and fewer maintenance-of-way employees. A single train commonly has a crew of two aboard. Freight carriers, vehicle manufacturers, and technology companies have explored the pote more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47911) on July 24, 2026, entitled "Freight Rail Safety Issues in the 119th Congress" by transportation policy analyst Ben Goldman. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The February 3, 2023, train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, OH, raised the profile of rail safety issues. Railroad labor organizations and some state and local governments have voiced concerns about railroad business practices that, in their view, put employees an more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47911) on July 24, 2026, entitled "Freight Rail Safety Issues in the 119th Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Prevention of Train Derailments Derailments account for roughly two-thirds of rail safety incidents (not including grade crossing incidents). In raw terms and on a per-train-mile basis, more derailments tend to occur on yard, siding, or industry tracks, as opposed to occurrences on main line tracks as in the East Palestin more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49041) on July 22, 2026, entitled "Full Privatization of U.S. Airports: Potential Issues and Options for Congress" by transportation and industry analyst Rachel Y. Tang. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In 1996, Congress established the Airport Privatization Pilot Program (Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996; P.L. 104-264, Sec.149). The program was established to increase access to sources of private capital for airport development  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49041) on July 22, 2026, entitled "Full Privatization of U.S. Airports - Potential Issues and Options for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * AIPP Privatization Challenges In its 30-year history, the AIPP and its predecessor pilot program have not been successful in stimulating wide interest in airport privatization. The program's modest results appear to have several causes. AIPP Application Process The process of applying to p more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11465) by legislative attorneys Peter J. Benson and Chris D. Linebaugh: * * * The House Passes the KIDS Act On June 29, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757). The KIDS Act consolidates a variety of legislative proposals aimed at protecting children and teens online. These proposals include the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would require online pla more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49015) on July 24, 2026, entitled "Institutional Investors and Single-Family Housing: In Brief." The report is written by financial economics specialists Darryl E. Getter and Eva Su and housing policy specialist Katie Jones. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Who Owns SF Houses? ... 2 What Are Institutional Investors? ... 3 What Challenges Exist in Measuring Ownership? ... 4 How Many SF Units Do Large Investors Own? . more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49049) on July 30, 2026, entitled "Legislative Branch: FY2027 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; Architect of the Capitol; Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service; more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49049) on July 30, 2026, entitled "Legislative Branch - FY2027 Appropriations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * FY2027 Legislative Branch Funding Issues The following sections discuss the various legislative branch accounts. During consideration of the legislative branch bills, the House and Senate conform to a "longstanding practice under which each body of Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other concurs wit more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43122) on July 27, 2026, entitled "Medicare's Financial Status" by health policy analyst Thomas P. Hackman. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Medicare, the federal health insurance program that pays for covered health services for enrolled beneficiaries, provided coverage to approximately 70.7 million beneficiaries in 2026 and incurred total expenditures of approximately $1.30 trillion. The Hospital Insurance (HI) trust fund, which finances M more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48956) on July 30, 2026, entitled "National Security, Department of State and Related Programs: FY2027 Budget and Appropriations" by foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist Emily M. McCabe and foreign affairs analyst Cory R. Gill. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress typically considers 12 distinct appropriations measures on an annual basis to fund federal programs and activities. Between FY2008 and FY2025, one of these measure more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47313) on July 27, 2026, entitled "Next Farm Bill Primer Series" by agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist Megan Stubbs and agricultural policy specialist Jim Monke: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Overview and Budget ... 2 CRS In Focus IF12047, Farm Bill Primer: Overview and Status, by Megan Stubbs and Jim Monke ... 2 CRS In Focus IF12233, Farm Bill Primer: Budget Dynamics, by Jim Monke ... 2 CRS In Focus IF1 more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11665) by Asian affairs specialist Susan V. Lawrence. Here are excerpts: * * * President Reagan's Six Assurances to Taiwan Introduction Under the U.S. "one-China" policy, the U.S. government has, since 1979, maintained official relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and unofficial relations with self-governed Taiwan, over which the PRC claims sovereignty. Until 2020, U.S. Administrations described the U.S. one-Ch more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49048) on July 30, 2026, entitled "Presidential Authority Under the Antiquities Act" by legislative attorney Cassandra J. Barnum: * * * SUMMARY The Antiquities Act of 1906, codified at 54 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 320301-320303, empowers the President to create national monuments by "public proclamation." The act provides that monuments may consist of "historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49048) on July 30, 2026, entitled "Presidential Authority Under the Antiquities Act:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Considerations in Ultra Vires Review Courts' substantive review of ultra vires claims under the Antiquities Act has been sparing, but a series of D.C. Circuit opinions articulate a framework for analyzing legal challenges to monument proclamations. In Mountain States Legal Foundation v. Bush,/110 the plaintiffs argued amo more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11982) by natural resources policy specialist Charles V. Stern. Here are excerpts: * * * Responding to Drought in the Colorado River Basin The Colorado River Basin covers more than 246,000 square miles in seven U.S. states and Mexico. Basin waters are governed by multiple documents, known collectively as the Law of the River. The Colorado River Compact of 1922 established the framework to apportion water supplies between the ri more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12534) by Russian and European affairs specialists Andrew S. Bowen and Cory Welt. Here are excerpts: * * * The Russian Federation (Russia) launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. More than four years later, Russia and Ukraine remain engaged in Europe's largest war since World War II. With estimates of up to 2 million or more killed or wounded, and with Russia controlling about 20% of Ukraine's territory, neit more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12723) by social policy specialist Gene Falk. Here are excerpts: * * * Senate Committee Chairman's New Farm Bill Draft Would Change the Upcoming State Sharing of SNAP Benefit Costs Draft legislation released by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman would delay the onset of state sharing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit costs by one year, to begin October 1, 2028 (FY2029). It would also in more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48845) on July 27, 2026, entitled "Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Federal Highway Programs" by transportation policy analyst Ali E. Lohman. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Federal funding for public roads is provided primarily through highway programs administered by the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Congress most recently authorized the federal highway programs for FY2022-FY2026 as p more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48845) on July 27, 2026, entitled "Surface Transportation Reauthorization - Federal Highway Programs:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Federal-Aid Highway Formula and Competitive Discretionary Programs FHWA administers more than 30 federal highway programs, and highway projects are also eligible for funding under multimodal programs administered by other DOT agencies./56 This report focuses on (1) the formula programs (also known as appo more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10275) by Asian affairs specialist Susan V. Lawrence. Here are excerpts: * * * Taiwan: Background and U.S. Relations Introduction Taiwan, which also calls itself the Republic of China (ROC) and was once known as Formosa, is a self-governing East Asian democracy located across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. Taiwan's popularly elected leaders govern 23.3 million people on the main island of Taiwan; the archipelagoes of  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11466) by legislative attorney Clay Wild: * * * The Fifth Amendment Privilege Against Self-Incrimination: Background and Selected Topics for Congress The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." Witnesses sometimes invoke this right, commonly referred to as the privilege against self-incrimination (or compulsory self-incrimi more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12725) by firearms policy analyst Jordan B. Cohen: * * * Trump Administration's Proposed Changes to Remote Firearm Purchases and Transfers The Trump Administration has proposed a rule that would affect how individuals can have firearms delivered to their homes through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and a different rule that would remove certain limitations on the purchasing of firearms remotely. Currently, individuals can use U more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13281) by health care financing analyst Laura A. Wreschnig and senior research librarian Michele L. Malloy. Here are excerpts: * * * TrumpRx: Background and Implementation Introduction On February 5, 2026, the Trump Administration officially launched TrumpRx, a website that compiles discounts on brand-name and generic drugs through partnerships with drug manufacturers and direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmacies. Since the launch, more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49042) on July 23, 2026, entitled "The U.S. Court of Appeals - Background and Circuit Splits from 2025." The report is written by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia and 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 jurisdictions. Although the Supreme Court of the United S more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12945) by defense policy specialists Jennifer DiMascio and Anya L. Fink: * * * U.S. Strategic Bombers The U.S. Air Force deploys three strategic (or heavy) bombers - the B-52, B-1B, and B-2 - to carry bombs or air-to-surface missiles for conventional and nuclear missions. Bombers carry heavy ordnance loads across long distances, for extended periods of time, to strike adversary targets of tactical and strategic importance. The  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11175) by international trade and finance analyst Danielle M. Trachtenberg. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations The 119th Congress is engaged in a range of legislative and oversight activities related to trade policy toward Mexico, which in 2025 was the largest U.S. trading partner in total trade (exports plus imports) of goods and services. Mexico's proximity to the United States and the extensive bilateral t more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13283) by internet and telecommunications policy specialist Patricia Moloney Figliola and telecommunications policy specialist Colby Leigh Pechtol: Here are excerpts: * * * The Universal Service Fund's Lifeline Program and High Cost Program: Current Regulatory Activity Background The Universal Service Fund (USF) was established under Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. Sec.254), as amended by the Telecomm more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49040) on July 21, 2026, entitled "Visa Issuances, Refusals and Revocations: Selected Current Legal Considerations" by legislative attorney Alejandra Aramayo. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that Congress's plenary power over immigration applies with most force in the admission and exclusion of aliens - persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals - who seek to enter or remain in the United Stat more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49040) on July 21, 2026, entitled "Visa Issuances, Refusals and Revocations - Selected Current Legal Considerations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Visa Refusals The second possible outcome for a completed visa application is a visa refusal (or denial). Generally, a visa refusal is based on one of three statutes: 8 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 1182(a), 1184(b), or 1201(g)./69 These are also known as visa ineligibilities./70 Under Sec. 1182(a), a co more PR