WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31675) on March 27, 2026, entitled "Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process" by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report reviews the process and procedures that apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and ser more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11150) on March 26, 2026, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security specialist: * * * Defense Primer: U.S. Policy on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems Lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) are a special class of weapon systems that uses sensor suites and computer algorithms to independently identify a target and employ an onboard weapon system to engage and more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12981) on March 25, 2026, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Defense Primer: U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM or STRATCOM) is a Department of Defense (DOD) functional (as opposed to geographic) combatant command (CCMD) whose stated mission is to "conduct operations to deter strategic attack and employ forces, as directed, to guara more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11410) on March 24, 2026, by legislative attorneys Madeline W. Donley and Victoria L. Killion: Here are excerpts: * * * False Claims Act Enforcement Involving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs The Trump Administration has adopted the view that some "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) programs and policies illegally consider protected characteristics in viol more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12673) on March 26, 2026, by American national government specialist Henry B. Hogue and legislative attorney Todd Garvey. Here are excerpts: * * * Fixed Term and "For Cause" Removal Provisions Unless otherwise specified in law, presidential appointees to executive branch positions serve for an indeterminate period of time and can usually be removed by the President at any time more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48885) on March 24, 2026, entitled "The Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation (INVEST) Act of 2025 (H.R. 3383)" by financial economics specialist Eva Su. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Introduction ... 1 Legislative History ... 1 Title I - Expanding Access to Capital for Small Businesses ... 2 Section-by-Section Summary ... 2 Market Implicatio more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13189) on March 23, 2026, by macroeconomic policy specialists Lida R. Weinstock and Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Is "Affordability" An Attainable Policy Goal? Concerns about affordability have been a significant focus of the 119th Congress. Affordability is not an official metric that the government or private sector economists report, so discussions of affordabilit more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10660) on March 24, 2026, by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood. Here are excerpts: * * * The Kingdom of Bhutan Background The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small, landlocked Himalayan country situated between India and the People's Republic of China (PRC, or China). The kingdom is about half the size of Indiana, with an estimated population of approximately 792,000. Hydropowe more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11409) on March 23, 2026, by legislative attorneys Christopher T. Zirpoli and Jennifer K. Elsea: * * * Legal Authority for Export Controls and Tariffs on Semiconductor Chips Sold to China Semiconductor chips (also known as computer chips, microelectronic chips, or integrated circuits) have been a focus of U.S. export control policy for several years, partly due to concer more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13015) on March 23, 2026, by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * The Marine Mammal Commission Introduction The Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) is an independent advisory agency of the executive branch that provides "independent, science-based oversight" of federal agency policies and actions addressing human impacts on marine mammals  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10216) on March 24, 2026, by Asian policy analyst Maria A. Blackwood. Here are excerpts: * * * Nepal Overview The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a lower-middle income, relatively small, landlocked state in South Asia. Since parliamentary democracy was restored in 2006 after a four-year period of monarchy, Nepal has faced political instability, with tensions between  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47585) entitled "An Overview of Small Business Subcontracting: In Brief" by R. Corinne Blackford, small business and economic development policy analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY For small businesses, participating in federal contracts as subcontractors can offer an important pathway to government contracting work and is one of the ways that the federal government can help maintain  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41759) on March 24, 2026, entitled "Past Government Shutdowns: Key Resources" by senior research librarians Justin Murray and Carol Wilson: * * * Summary When federal government agencies and programs lack budget authority after the expiration of either full-year or interim appropriations, they experience a "funding gap," also known as a lapse in appropriations. In many cases, under the Antid more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41759) on March 24, 2026, entitled "Past Government Shutdowns - Key Resources:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Office of Personnel Management OPM has some information publicly available on the internet related to government shutdowns and furloughs. * U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Pay & Leave Furlough Guidance, available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/fur more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12674) on March 27, 2026, by financial economics specialist Eva Su. Here are excerpts: * * * Private Credit Funds Redemption Restrictions: Market Context and Policy Issues Private credit generally refers to a type of lending provided by nonbank financial institutions, such as alternative asset managers of private funds, to small- and medium-sized private companies. Although th more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13190) on March 23, 2026, by economics specialist Mark P. Keightley. Here are excerpts: * * * Reforms to the Mortgage Interest Deduction with Revenue Estimates This In Focus provides an overview of the mortgage interest deduction under current law and presents revenue estimates for selected reforms to the deduction. Reforming or modifying the mortgage interest deduction could more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12629) on March 25, 2026, by international trade and finance specialist Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs and Asian trade and finance specialist Karen M. Sutter: * * * Regulation of U.S. Outbound Investment to China Introduction The U.S. government generally has supported an open investment environment at home and abroad to promote U.S. economic growth, sustain the U.S. position as a more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48605) on March 23, 2026, entitled "Safety Considerations for Automated Passenger Vehicles" by transportation policy analyst Naseeb A. Souweidane. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Automated vehicle technologies offer a range of driver support functions that some stakeholders assert may improve traffic safety. These technologies vary in their capabilities and current stages of development. S more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48605) on March 23, 2026, entitled "Safety Considerations for Automated Passenger Vehicles:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * State and Federal Interactions Federal and state agencies have separate regulatory authority over vehicle safety and regulate many aspects of automated vehicle safety differently. Among other responsibilities, NHTSA generally sets vehicle standards, ensures compli more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11412) on March 26, 2026. The white paper is written by Legislative Attorneys Jimmy Balser, Jon O. Shimabukuro and Mainon A. Schwartz: * * * Schedule Policy/Career: 2026 Final Rule, Legal Challenges, and Issues for Lawmakers On February 6, 2026, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule and memorandum for the implementation of Schedule Policy/Caree more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12927) on March 25, 2026, by social policy analyst Alexandra Hegji. Here are excerpts: * * * Section 117 of the Higher Education Act: Reporting of Foreign Gifts and Contracts Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA; P.L. 89-329, as amended) establishes foreign gift and contract reporting requirements for certain domestic public and private institutions that (1) o more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12672) on March 24, 2026. The white paper is written by international trade and finance specialists Christopher A. Casey, Danielle M. Trachtenberg and Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs. Here are excerpts: * * * Section 301 Investigation--Forced Labor and Import Policies of U.S. Trading Partners In March 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated an investigati more PR

WASHINGTON, March 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13187) on March 23, 2026, by American national government specialist R. Eric Petersen: * * * Smithsonian Institution: Selected Legislation, 119th Congress This In Focus discusses enacted and proposed legislation to authorize new facilities, relationships, or programming within the Smithsonian Institution in the 119th Congress (2025-2026) to date. It excludes discussion of meas more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11934) on March 25, 2026, by South Asian affairs specialist K. Alan Kronstadt. Here are excerpts: * * * Terrorist and Other Militant Groups in Pakistan U.S. officials have identified Pakistan as a base of operations and/or target for numerous armed, nonstate militant groups, some of which have existed since the 1980s. Notable terrorist and other groups operating in and/or lau more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13191) on March 25, 2026, by environmental policy specialist Angela C. Jones. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FY2026 Appropriations Enacted on January 23, 2026, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-74) provided funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Ag more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11411) on March 26, 2026, by legislative attorney Andreas Kuersten: * * * United States v. Hasbajrami and the Warrant Requirement for Certain FISA 702 Queries Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) (50 U.S.C. Sec. 1881a) governs domestic electronic surveillance targeting non-U.S. persons outside the United States. Under the statute, the Attorney  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10199) on March 26, 2026. The white paper is written by Asian affairs specialist Mark E. Manyin, foreign affairs analyst Daniel J. Longo and international trade and finance specialists Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs and Kyla H. Kitamura. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Japan Relations Overview Japan, a U.S. treaty ally since 1952, is an important U.S. security and trade partner. S more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10256) on March 26, 2026, by Asian trade and finance specialist Karen M. Sutter. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Economic Relations Taiwan is a top U.S. trade partner and a key link in global technology supply chains. Taiwan's economy is highly dependent on global trade; exports account for about 70% of its gross domestic product (GDP). Taiwan's policies are se more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11413) on March 26, 2026, by legislative attorney Justin C. Chung: * * * Updates on Litigation over the IRS-ICE Information-Sharing Agreement On February 24, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (D.C. Circuit) affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction that would have placed restrictions on information sharing pursuant to an agreement between the Int more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12007) on March 25, 2026, by income security specialists John J. Topoleski and Elizabeth A. Myers. Here are excerpts: * * * A Visual Depiction of the Shift from Defined Benefit (DB) to Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Plans in the Private Sector Background One of the notable trends in the U.S. retirement system over the past five decades is that private sector employees hav more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13112) on March 26, 2026, by natural resources policy specialists Nicole T. Carter and Anna E. Normand: * * * Water Resources Development Acts: Primer and Action in the 119th Congress The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is an agency that develops water resource projects, among other civil and military missions. The primary purposes of USACE studies and projects historical more PR