WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49490) on Oct. 20, 2026, entitled "Algorithmic Discrimination: Legal Principles" by legislative attorney Abigail A. Graber: * * * SUMMARY As automated tools for decisionmaking, including those using artificial intelligence (AI), have grown in popularity and sophistication, they raise questions about how their use intersects with federal antidiscrimination laws. Federal laws address various kinds of discrimination, including disparate treatme more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49490) on Oct. 20, 2026, entitled "Algorithmic Discrimination - Legal Principles:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Tensions Between Disparate Treatment and Disparate Impact There are limits on how far people can go to eliminate disparate impacts without running afoul of prohibitions on disparate treatment. The Supreme Court has cautioned that disparate impact liability may not be used to require "numerical quotas," or to peg compliance  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49490) on Oct. 20, 2026, entitled "Algorithmic Discrimination - Legal Principles:" (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Disparate Impact How Algorithms May Cause Disparate Impacts Algorithmic decisionmaking could result in particular groups experiencing disproportionately negative outcomes in several ways. As a non-exhaustive list of examples, disparate impacts could result when algorithms rely on proxies for protected characteristics; when  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49490) on Oct. 20, 2026, entitled "Algorithmic Discrimination - Legal Principles:" (Continued from Part 3 of 4) * * * Considering Requirements Beyond Nondiscrimination Beyond establishing new antidiscrimination requirements in federal law, or amending existing ones, Congress could consider other frameworks for addressing algorithmic decisionmaking exercising different levels of oversight, such as transparency, audit, or design requirements. more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12598) by economic policy analyst D. Andrew Austin: * * * Attempted Dismissals of Members of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board On Friday, August 1, 2025, President Trump sent dismissal notices to five of the seven members of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB or Oversight Board): Arthur J. Gonzalez, Cameron McKenzie, Betty A. Rosa, Juan A. Sabater, and Luis A. Ubinas. On August 13, more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48033) on Oct. 19, 2026, entitled "Class VI Carbon Sequestration Wells: Permitting and State Program Primacy" by environmental policy specialist Angela C. Jones. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates wells used for underground injection of carbon dioxide, known as Class VI wells. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), administered by EPA, prohibits underground injection of fluids without a pe more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12749) by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion. Here are excerpts: * * * Confirmation of U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations During Lame Duck Sessions of Congress (1946-2024) This Insight provides information and analysis related to U.S. circuit and district court nominations confirmed during lame duck sessions held by the Senate during the postwar period (i.e., since 1946). For the purpose of this I more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11495) by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Circuit Splits from August 2026 The U.S. Courts of Appeals for the thirteen "circuits" issue thousands of precedential decisions each year. Because relatively few of these decisions are ultimately reviewed by the Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals are often the last word on consequential legal questions. The federal appella more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47656) on Oct. 19, 2026, entitled "Copyright in Standards Incorporated by Reference into Law and the Pro Codes Act" by legislative attorney Kevin J. Hickey: * * * SUMMARY This report explains the current law concerning copyright protection for technical standards developed by private organizations and subsequently incorporated by reference into federal, state, or local law. It reviews the outcomes and reasoning of prominent case law on the i more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47656) on Oct. 19, 2026, entitled "Copyright in Standards Incorporated by Reference into Law and the Pro Codes Act:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Takings Clause Issues If a government's incorporation by reference diminishes or eliminates copyright protection, it arguably raises questions under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The Takings Clause states that "private property [shall not] be taken for public use, without just  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11496) by foreign affairs analyst Cory R. Gill. Here are excerpts: * * * Delay in Changes to Hemp Definition: Cannabinoids Not Capable of Being Naturally Produced by the Cannabis Plant Under federal law, cannabis and its derivatives are classified as either marijuana or hemp. Marijuana is subject to regulation under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), while hemp is not a controlled substance. The CSA also separ more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46413) entitled "Election Day: Frequently Asked Questions" by senior knowledge management librarian Caitlin Curran: * * * SUMMARY Election Day is the day legally established to select public officials in the United States. General elections for federal offices - President, Vice President, and U.S. Congress - are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Citizens vote for President and Vice President every more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11340) by legislative attorney Madeline W. Donley: * * * Environmental Justice and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 During the Biden Administration, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) sought to advance "environmental justice" goals using Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), which prohibits recipients of federal funds from discriminating on the basis  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11497) by legislative attorney Sean Stiff: * * * Equity and Good Conscience Debt Waiver Statutes Each year, the federal government spends trillions of dollars through a wide variety of government programs. Agencies employ staff, rent office buildings, procure goods or services from private firms, award grants, make loans and loan guarantees, issue direct payments to program beneficiaries, extend insurance, or otherwise  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12114) by agricultural policy analyst Stephanie Rosch. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: PLC and ARC Farm Support Programs The Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs provide income support for eligible agricultural producers that is triggered when market prices (PLC) or crop revenues (ARC) fall below certain thresholds. Congress originally authorized these programs in the Agricultural  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46565) on Oct. 19, 2026, entitled "Federal Election Results: Frequently Asked Questions." The report is written by American national government specialists Sarah J. Eckman, R. Sam Garrett and Karen L. Shanton: * * * SUMMARY States, territories, and the District of Columbia (DC) administer federal elections. Each of these jurisdictions has its own process for counting votes and declaring election winners, though all follow similar steps. The more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44504) on Oct. 14, 2026, entitled "Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: History and Background" by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay and legislative attorney Adam Vann. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Under Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended (OCSLA; 43 U.S.C. Sec.1344), the Secretary of the Interior must prepare and maintain forward-looking plans - typically referred to as national p more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10293) by foreign affairs analyst Cory R. Gill. Here are excerpts: * * * Foreign Relations Reauthorization: Background and Issues Introduction The Constitution empowers Congress to provide funding, authorize programs, and conduct oversight with respect to foreign policy implementation. In exercising these powers, Congress has enacted several laws requiring foreign affairs appropriations to be authorized prior to expenditure more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43657) on Oct. 15, 2026, entitled "Funding for the Impact Aid Program: Options for Budget Year Appropriations, Forward Funding and Advance Appropriations" by education policy specialist Rebecca R. Skinner and social policy specialist Jessica Tollestrup. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the Impact Aid program is one of the oldest federal education programs, dating from 1950. Impact Aid,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL33546) on Oct. 20, 2026, entitled "Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations" by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Jeremy M. Sharp. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an important U.S. partner in the Middle East, and the two countries have cooperated closely for decades. Issues of bilateral cooperation include countering Islamist extremism, stabilizing Iraq and Syria, promoting the Israeli-Palestinian peace pro more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11769) by domestic security specialist Kristin Finklea: * * * Law Enforcement and Technology: The "Lawful Access" Debate Technological advances present both opportunities and challenges for U.S. law enforcement. For example, some developments have increased the quantity and availability of digital content and information for investigators and analysts. Some observers say law enforcement's investigative capabilities may be outp more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43397) entitled "Legislative Branch Appropriations: Frequently Asked Questions" by Congress specialist Ida A. Brudnick. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report responds to frequently asked questions about legislative branch appropriations. Frequently asked questions include the items that are funded within this bill; development, presentation, and consideration of the legislative branch budget requests; the legislative branch budget in more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40962) on Oct. 13, 2026, entitled "Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage" by Congress specialist Ida A. Brudnick. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Members of the House of Representatives have one consolidated allowance, the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA), with which to operate their offices. The first full year of the MRA was the second session of the 104th Congress (1996). It was made subject to regulations and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40962) on Oct. 13, 2026, entitled "Members' Representational Allowance - History and Usage:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Individual MRAs for Members: Formula and Authorized Levels Since 1996 The MRA for each Member is set by the Committee on House Administration based on three components: personnel, official office expenses, and official (franked) mail. The personnel allowance component is the same for each Member. The office expense more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48136) on Oct. 15, 2026, entitled "National Park Service Deferred Maintenance: Overview and Issues" by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The National Park Service (NPS) has a multibillion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance - maintenance that was not performed as scheduled or as needed and was put off to a future time. NPS's deferred maintenance, also known as deferred maintenance and re more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48136) on Oct. 15, 2026, entitled "National Park Service Deferred Maintenance - Overview and Issues:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Funding for NPS Deferred Maintenance NPS has used discretionary and mandatory appropriations, allocations from the Department of Transportation, park entrance and recreation fees, donations, and other funding sources to address the DM backlog. Often it is not possible to determine the total amount of fund more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44258) by reference librarian Audrey Celeste Crane-Hirsch: * * * Native American Heritage Month: Fact Sheet Introduction Native American Heritage Month (also known as National American Indian Heritage Month) celebrates the contributions and achievements of Native Americans. November was first designated as National American Indian Heritage Month on August 3, 1990, by P.L. 101-343 to authorize and request the President to proclaim Novem more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46833) on Oct. 20, 2026, entitled "The Office of Personnel Management: An Overview" by government organization and management analyst Taylor N. Riccard. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is authorized by statute to perform various duties and functions that are related to human resources management and personnel policies for the federal government. The antecedent of OPM may be traced to the enactment o more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11780) by international relations specialist Luisa Blanchfield. Here are excerpts: * * * United Nations Issues: Overview of the United Nations System The United Nations (UN) system comprises interconnected entities including the United Nations, specialized agencies, peacekeeping operations, funds and programs, and other entities. Congress has generally supported the UN system and often uses UN mechanisms to further U.S. forei more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13337) by public finance analyst Brendan McDermott and immigration policy analyst Abigail F. Kolker: * * * Proposed Rule Affecting Noncitizen Eligibility for Refundable Tax Credits On August 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury proposed a new rule that would make some noncitizens ineligible for the portion of certain refundable tax credits that exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability. It would do so by applying the more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11494) by legislative attorneys April J. Anderson and Abigail A. Graber: * * * Recent Changes to DOJ's Interpretation of Olmstead v. L.C. ex rel. Zimring In 1999, the Supreme Court decided the landmark disability discrimination case Olmstead v. L.C. ex rel. Zimring, which established that "unjustified institutional isolation of persons with disabilities is a form of discrimination." Olmstead applied Title II of the Ameri more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13226) by natural resources policy specialists Caitlin Keating-Bitonti and Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * Seabed Mining on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf: Recent Developments As part of a national effort to secure reliable supplies of critical minerals, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14285 of April 24, 2025, "Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources." One potential source of offsh more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11457) by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Temporary Control of 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and Other Kratom-Related Substances Under the Controlled Substances Act On July 1, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced its intent to temporarily place in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) a chemical found in the kratom plant, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), and three related subst more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13339) by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus and senior research librarian Jennifer E. Manning. Here are excerpts: * * * Time Capsules for the Semiquincentennial of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence On July 4, 2026, the United States celebrated the semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As part of the celebration, Congress authorized two time capsules - one for  more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47563) on Oct. 13, 2026, entitled "Tribal Co-Management of Federal Lands: Overview and Selected Issues for Congress" by natural resources policy specialist Mariel J. Murray. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Many of today's federal lands are located on the ancestral homelands of federally recognized Tribes ("Tribes"). Many Tribes maintain ongoing physical, cultural, spiritual, and economic relationships with their ancestral homelands. Tribes more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47563) on Oct. 13, 2026, entitled "Tribal Co-Management of Federal Lands - Overview and Selected Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Pat 1 of 2) * * * Co-Managing Historic and Cultural Resources Many Tribes maintain ongoing cultural and spiritual relationships with their ancestral homelands. Tribes may seek access to federal lands to continue practicing traditional ceremonies, and they may argue against certain activities on federal land more PR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12608) by natural resources policy specialist Caitlin Keating-Bitonti: * * * U.S. Interest in Seabed Mining in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Brief Background and Recent Developments In 1980, Congress passed the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA; 30 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.1401 et seq.) as an interim measure to allow the United States to proceed with seabed mining activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ more PR