WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13301) on Aug. 28, 2026, by financial economics specialist Eva Su. Here are excerpts: * * * AI Investments and Potential Government Stakes in Private AI Firms The rapid build-out of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and capacity has prompted policy inquiries relating to (1) the significance of AI investments, (2) the potential impact of AI on the economy and society, and (3) policymakers' role in shaping how AI-gene more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12713) on Sept. 1, 2026, by American national government analyst Karen L. Shanton. Here are excerpts: * * * Commissioner Donald Palmer resigned from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on April 30, 2026. On July 9, the remaining three members of the four-person commission were effectively removed from their positions. According to media reports and interviews with some of the commissioners, Commissioners Thomas Hicks  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R48174) by senior knowledge management librarian Kelly M. Hoffman: * * * Constitution Day and Citizenship Day: Fact Sheet Contents Introduction ... 1 Background ... 1 Legislation ... 2 Related CRS Products ... 2 Selected Congressional Statements and Remarks ... 3 Selected Presidential Proclamations and Remarks ... 3 Government Resources ... 4 Contacts Author Information ... 4 * * * Introduction Constitution Day and Cit more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12635) on Aug. 28, 2026, by natural resources policy specialists Anna E. Normand and Nicole T. Carter. Here are excerpts: * * * Continuing Authorities Programs (CAPs) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) can study and construct certain water resources projects of limited size, cost, scope, and complexity without project-specific congressional authorization, subject to the availability o more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12635) on Sept. 1, 2026, by natural resources policy specialists Nicole T. Carter and Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * Continuing Authorities Programs (CAPs) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) can study and construct certain water resources projects of limited size, cost, scope, and complexity without project-specific congressional authorization, subject to the availability o more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11170) by legislative attorney Dave S. Sidhu: * * * The Department of Justice Asks the Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Federal Prohibition on Felons Possessing Firearms Federal appeals courts disagree as to whether the federal ban on individuals convicted of felonies from possessing firearms - located at 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(g)(1) and commonly known as the "felon-in-possession" prohibition - violates the Secon more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12735) by domestic security specialist Kristin Finklea: * * * Federal Legislation and Oversight of Law Enforcement Use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) Law enforcement use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) is relatively commonplace in many jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies use ALPRs for a variety of proactive and reactive policing purposes, including gathering intelligence and evidence, helping identify more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13302) on Aug. 28, 2026, by Diane P. Horn, flood insurance and emergency management specialist: Here are excerpts: * * * FEMA Review Council Recommendations for the National Flood Insurance Program Executive Order (EO) 14180 established the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council (FRC) in January 2025 to evaluate FEMA's future role in federal emergency management. The FRC issued its final report on May 7, 20 more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12704) on Sept. 1, 2026, by Congress and legislative process specialist Valerie Heitshusen and defense policy analyst Daniel M. Gettinger. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2027 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity On April 3, 2026, President Donald Trump submitted documentation supporting the President's FY2027 budget request, including proposed funding for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), atomic energy defense activities prima more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12888) on Aug. 28, 2026, by natural resources policy specialists Carol Hardy Vincent and Laura B. Comay: * * * The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA): Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)? The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA; P.L. 116-152) established in the U.S. Treasury a new fund - the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) - with mandatory spending authority to  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12733) by immigration policy specialists Holly Straut and Audrey Singer: * * * Immigration Enforcement Fines for Immigrants with Final Removal Orders According to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), foreign nationals (aliens) who have been ordered removed from the United States and have not left the country have been issued fines, which in some cases reportedly total as much as $1.8 million per alien more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10031) on Aug. 28, 2026, by financial economics specialist Karl E. Schneider and legislative attorney David H. Carpenter: * * * Introduction to Financial Services: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) In 2010, through enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank; P.L. 111-203), Congress established the CFPB to implement and enforce federal consumer financial law for certain  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13303) on Sept. 1, 2026, by income security analyst Elizabeth A. Myers: * * * Large Retirement Account Balances: An Overview Congress has authorized tax advantages to encourage employers to offer retirement plans, such as defined contribution (DC) plans, and individuals to save for retirement through such plans, or through individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Contributions to DC accounts and IRAs can be made on a pretax (tra more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11438) by legislative attorney Hillel R. Smith: * * * Mandatory Detention During Removal Proceedings: Circuit Split The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may arrest and detain aliens for immigration status violations that render them removable from the United States. While the agency generally has discretion to release aliens from custody during the pendency of their removal proceedings, some categories of aliens mus more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13304) by transportation policy specialist William J. Mallett. Here are excerpts: * * * National Infrastructure Bank: Proposals in the 119th Congress Introduction The term infrastructure generally refers to long-lived, capital-intensive systems and facilities in the areas of transportation, energy, water, and telecommunications. Some broader definitions also include facilities for education, recreation, and health. The condi more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11544) by health and aging policy specialist Kirsten J. Colello. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of Assisted Living Facilities Assisted living is a term often applied to community-based residential settings that provide housing and meals (i.e., room and board), as well as long-term services and supports (LTSS), to older adults and individuals with disabilities. LTSS can include personal care, medication assistance, and hous more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11472) by legislative attorney Sean Stiff: * * * Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Recent Legal Developments For nearly 20 years, Section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended, has authorized a benefit for borrowers of federal Direct Loan program student loans commonly known as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). First established by the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (CCRA), the PSLF progra more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11293) by legislative attorney Joanna R. Lampe: * * * Retroactive Legislation: A Primer for Congress Black's Law Dictionary defines a retroactive law as a law "that looks backward or contemplates the past, affecting acts or facts that existed before the act came into effect." While Congress often considers legislation that would apply retroactively, the Constitution imposes some constraints on such laws. This In Focus outlines more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13226) on Aug. 28, 2026, 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 potenti more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13006) by international trade and finance analyst Kyla H. Kitamura. Here are excerpts: * * * Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. Sec.1862), allows the President to impose restrictions on goods imports or enter into negotiations with trading partners if the U.S. Secretary of Commerce determines, following an investigation, that the quantity or oth more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10426) by social policy analyst Emma K. Tatem: * * * Social Security Overview Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance - commonly referred to as Social Security - is a work-based federal insurance program authorized under Title II of the Social Security Act. It provides monthly cash benefits to workers and their families in the event the worker retires, dies, or experiences a work-limiting disability. Social Security is th more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11475) by legislative attorney David H. Carpenter: * * * State Marijuana Laws and the Dormant Commerce Clause Federal law classifies marijuana as a controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and, thus, criminalizes many marijuana-related activities. Despite these federal prohibitions, a majority of U.S. states have adopted laws permitting certain types of marijuana sales and other marijuana-re more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11474) by legislative attorney Christopher T. Zirpoli: * * * Tariff Authorities in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 On August 7, 2026, the Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (the Sanctioning Act). In addition to authorizing various sanctions against the government of the Russian Federation and Russian individuals and entities, the Sanctioning Act autho more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13305) on Sept. 1, 2026, by public finance analyst Brendan McDermott: * * * Trump Accounts and the U.S. Territories Trump Accounts are a new type of tax-deferred savings vehicle for the benefit of children, created by the 2025 reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21; also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Certain individuals can open Trump Accounts on behalf of qualifying children. Individuals can open accounts on behalf of c more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11473) by legislative attorneys Daniel T. Shedd and Wen W. Shen: * * * Two Years After SEC v. Jarkesy: Overview of Selected Appellate Decisions In 2024, the Supreme Court decided Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) v. Jarkesy. The Court held that the Seventh Amendment - which provides a right to jury trial in common law actions - prohibits the SEC from imposing civil penalties for securities fraud by way of a jury-l more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11810) on Aug. 28, 2026, by natural resources policy specialists Anna E. Normand and Nicole T. Carter. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works: Primer and Resources Congress plays a role in the nation's water resources development through authorization and appropriations of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and activities. USACE is an agency that develops civil works projects principally t more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN11810) on Sept. 1, 2026, by natural resources policy specialists Nicole T. Carter and Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works: Primer and Resources Congress plays a role in the nation's water resources development through authorization and appropriations of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and activities. USACE is an agency that develops civil works projects principally t more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10981) on Sept. 1, 2026, by American national government analyst Karen L. Shanton: * * * The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC): An Overview The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is an independent federal agency that is charged with helping election officials to improve the administration of elections and voters to participate in the electoral process. It was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAV more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12608) on Aug. 28, 2026, 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  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13276) by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Marine Corps Ground Combat Element 2040 Initiative Introduction In March 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps announced a major force design initiative it referred to as "Force Design 2030," now known as "Force Design." As part of this 10-year initiative, the Marines planned to redesign the service to prioritize naval expeditionary warfare as p more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12040). The white paper is written by security assistance, security cooperation and global arms trade analyst Christina L. Arabia and Russian and European affairs specialists Andrew S. Bowen and Cory Welt: * * * U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine Since 2022 The United States has cooperated with European governments, the European Union (EU), NATO, and others to provide increased security assistance to Ukraine in response to R more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12734) by Peter J. Meyer, Latin American and Canadian affairs specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Canada Relations: Current Tensions and Issues for Congress U.S.-Canada relations have sharply deteriorated under the second Trump Administration. After several decades of deepening integration, officials in both countries are reevaluating bilateral ties. Congress, which historically has sought to foster cross-border collabor more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12595) on Aug. 28, 2026, by international trade and finance analyst Kyla H. Kitamura. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Canada Trade Relations The United States and Canada have one of the largest bilateral trade relationships in the world, including highly integrated energy and automotive markets. Since 1989, U.S.-Canada trade has been governed by the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, then by the 1994 North American Free Trade Ag more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10454) on Sept. 1, 2026, by international relations specialist Luisa Blanchfield. Here are excerpts: * * * United Nations Issues: Appointing the UN Secretary-General The 10th United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) is expected to be appointed in late 2026. The UN Security Council and UN General Assembly are considering possible candidates as the second five-year term of current UNSG Antonio Guterres ends on December 31, 2026 more PR