WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12623) on Dec. 11, 2025, by American national government analyst Taylor R. Knoedl. Here are excerpts: * * * The 2026 Census Test The U.S. Census Bureau begins planning for an upcoming Decennial Census of Population and Housing more than a decade prior to the census year. Over the cycle of each decennial census, this process includes the following phases: early planning; design  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11409) on Dec. 8, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert and U.S. Army fellow Ebrima M'Bai: * * * Defense Primer: Army Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) Overview As an operational concept, Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) influence what types of weapon systems and equipment the Army procures, what types and numbers of soldiers are needed, the organizational structu more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47504) on Dec. 10, 2025, entitled "Asylum Process in Immigration Courts and Selected Trends" by immigration policy analyst Holly Straut-Eppsteiner. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Immigration law permits aliens (foreign nationals) to apply for asylum if they are present in the United States or have arrived at a port of entry, irrespective of their immigration status. Individuals charged wit more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10521) on Dec. 11, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Authority to Launch Nuclear Forces The U.S. President has sole authority to authorize the use of U.S. nuclear weapons. This authority is inherent in his constitutional role as Commander in Chief. The President can seek advice from his senior military leaders; those military leaders are then required to trans more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11381) on Dec. 8, 2025, by Legislative Attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * The cannabis plant and products derived from cannabis may be subject to regulation under multiple provisions of federal and state law, including controlled substances laws, agricultural laws, and laws governing consumer products such as food, drugs, and cosmetics. One regulatory framework that may apply  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10880) on Dec. 8, 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, col more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following report on Dec. 10, 2025, entitled "Maintenance Delays for Conventional Navy Ships." Here are excerpts: * * * At a Glance The Navy has experienced chronic delays and labor overruns in maintenance on its large conventional ships (that is, ships that are not nuclear-powered). Those delays can affect deployment schedules and limit the operational readiness of the Navy's fleet. In this report, the Congressional  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12621) on Dec. 10, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Congressional Commission on the U.S. Strategic Posture Congress plays an important role in U.S. nuclear weapons policy through funding and oversight of U.S. strategic military capabilities and related programs carried out by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Secu more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47574) on Dec. 5, 2025, entitled "Debt Limit Policy Questions: What Are the Potential Economic Effects of a Binding Federal Debt Limit?" by acting section research manager Grant A. Driessen. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Federal law prohibits the "face amount of obligations whose principal and interest are guaranteed by the United States Government" from exceeding the statutory debt limit  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48624) entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: FY2026 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. Since FY2008,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10544) on Dec. 8, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert and U.S. Army fellow Ebrima M'Bai. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Department of the Army and Army Command Structure Overview Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution stipulates, "The Congress shall have power ... to raise and support Armies ... make Rules for the Government and Regulation o more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R47295) on Dec. 8, 2025, by Senior Research Librarian Ben Leubsdorf: * * * Economic Forecasts and Projections: Fact Sheet SUMMARY Economic projections (also called forecasts) are predictions about the future behavior of economic and financial indicators. They can help lawmakers in assessing the likelihood of key events such as recessions, addressing budget and economic challenges, and esti more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13130) on Dec. 10, 2025, by legislative attorney Chris D. Linebaugh and telecommunications policy specialist Dana A. Scherer: * * * The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Authority Over Broadcasters' Programming: An Introduction Reported statements by President Donald J. Trump regarding the potential for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revocation of broadcast l more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45160) on Dec. 5, 2025, entitled "Federal Election Commission: Membership and Policymaking Quorum, In Brief" by American national government specialist R. Sam Garrett. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the nation's civil campaign finance regulator. The agency ensures that campaign fundraising and spending is publicly reported; that those covered by the  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48750) on Dec. 5, 2025, entitled "Federal Hiring Process for Positions in the Competitive Civil Service: Overview and Recent Reforms" by government organization and management analyst Taylor N. Riccard and American national government analyst Barbara L. Schwemle. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Federal law categorizes federal civilian employees into three types of service: (1) the competitiv more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48750) on Dec. 5, 2025, entitled "Federal Hiring Process for Positions in the Competitive Civil Service - Overview and Recent Reforms:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Evaluate and Assess Job Candidates Once the application period for a vacancy closes and the agency has received all applications, the human resources office at the agency must determine whether applicants meet the eligibilit more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44692) on Dec. 4, 2025, 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 Rel more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12622) on Dec. 8, 2025, by Peter J. Meyer, Latin American and Canadian affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2026 Military Construction Appropriations: A Summary The Department of Defense (DOD), which is "using a secondary Department of War designation" under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, operates military construction and family housing programs that f more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12568) on Dec. 11, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Golden Dome: Potential Strategic Stability Considerations for Congress The second Trump Administration has proposed to develop a "next-generation missile defense shield" against nuclear and conventional attacks that it has called a "Golden Dome for America." Since the 1950s, Members of Congress have periodica more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10676) on Dec. 8, 2025, by Rebecca M. Nelson, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * The International Monetary Fund The International Monetary Fund (IMF, the Fund) is an international organization that works to ensure the stability of the international monetary system. Founded in 1945, its membership has grown from 30 countries to 191 today. The U more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13131) on Dec. 11, 2025, by health policy specialist Kavya Sekar. Here are excerpts: * * * NIH Grants Policy Under the Second Trump Administration Since President Trump took office on January 20, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - the nation's leading health and medical research agency - changed grant polici more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12516) on Dec. 9, 2025, by health policy specialist Kavya Sekar and science and technology policy analyst Marcy E. Gallo. Here are excerpts: * * * NIH Indirect Costs Policy for Research Grants: Recent Developments On February 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), published supplemental policy guidance t more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13132) on Dec. 11, 2025. The white paper is written by health policy analyst Alexandria K. Mickler, legislative attorney Dorothy C. Kafka and agricultural policy analyst Laura Pineda-Bermudez: * * * An Overview of Federal Regulation of Infant Formula Approximately two-thirds of all infants in the United States receive formula (or other nutritional supplementation) by six month more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10288) on Dec. 8, 2025, by Kelsi Bracmort, natural resources and energy policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of the 2018 Farm Bill Energy Title Programs Congress has long encouraged the production of renewable energy and other products derived from agriculture-based feedstock in pursuit of various policy goals. These goals include U.S. energy security, greenhous more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12621) on Dec. 8, 2025, by Peter J. Meyer, Latin American and Canadian affairs specialist: * * * Presidential Pardon of Former Honduran President Convicted of Drug Trafficking On November 28, 2025, President Donald Trump announced on social media that he intended to issue a "full and complete pardon" to former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez. President Trump formally gr more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12672) on Dec. 11, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Russia's Nuclear Weapons Russia presents an "acute threat" to the United States and its allies, according to the 2022 National Defense Strategy. The 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, a Biden Administration review of U.S. nuclear policy, states, 'Russia remains the U.S. rival with the most capable and diverse nuc more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12672) on Dec. 11, 2025, by Christina L. Arabia, security assistance, security cooperation and the global arms trade analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Transfer of Defense Articles: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Overview Under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, authorized by Congress in the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (AECA; P.L. 90-629; 22 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.2751 et seq more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13128) on Dec. 9, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert and U.S. 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 I more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12735) on Dec. 11, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Extended Deterrence and Regional Nuclear Capabilities One of the stated goals of U.S. nuclear weapons policy is to extend deterrence to over 30 U.S. "allies and partners" and assure these countries that the United States will come to their aid, including potentially by using U.S. nuc more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12964) on Dec. 11, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Control: Overview and Potential Considerations for Congress The United States has periodically sought to advance its national security interests through the negotiation and conclusion of nuclear arms control agreements with its adversaries. Throughout 2025, President Donald Trump ha more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11382) on Dec. 10, 2025, by legislative attorney L. Paige Whitaker: * * * The Voting Rights Act of 1965 at 60 Years: Key Supreme Court Decisions Shaping the Law Today The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) turned 60 this year. On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the VRA into law "[t]o enforce the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution." Since its enactment more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11060) on Dec. 9, 2025, by natural resources policy specialist Carol Hardy Vincent. Here are excerpts: * * * Wild Horse and Burro Management: Overview of Costs Background The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 (1971 Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.1331 et seq.) provides for management and protection of wild horses and burros by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), within  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48755) on Dec. 9, 2025, entitled "Work Requirements: Comparison of Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program After P.L. 119-21." The report is written by nutrition assistance policy specialist Randy Alison Aussenberg, health care financing specialist Evelyne P. Baumrucker and social policy specialist Gene Falk. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Enacted July 4, 2025, the FY2025  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN10979) on Dec. 9, 2025, by Kelsi Bracmort, natural resources and energy policy specialist: * * * Year-Round Sale of E15 E15 - a fuel blend of up to 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline - generally cannot be sold during the summer driving season (June 1-September 15) because it does not meet gasoline Reid vapor pressure (RVP) requirements, which limit fuel volatility under the Clean Air  more PR