WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13022) on Sept. 11, 2025, by Kelley M. Sayler, advanced technology and global security specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS): Background and Issues for Congress The U.S. Army is developing the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) as part of an effort to improve the combat effectiveness and training of soldiers. IVAS i more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12513) on Sept. 10, 2025, by financial economics specialists Karl E. Schneider and Andrew P. Scott. Here are excerpts: * * * Congress Repeals CFPB's Overdraft Rule Overdraft refers to when the money in a consumer account cannot cover a given transaction, but a financial institution pays the transaction. While some financial institutions do not offer overdraft coverage, banks t more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12599) on Sept. 11, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke: * * * Defense Primer: Navy Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) Concept Introduction Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) is the operating concept of the Department of the Navy (or DON, which includes the Navy and Marine Corps) for using U.S. naval (i.e., Navy and Marine Corps) forces in combat operation more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48231) on Aug. 1, 2025, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: FY2025 Budget and Appropriations" by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist and Cory R. Gill, foreign affairs analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Each year, Congress considers 12 distinct appropriations measures to fund federal programs and activities. One of these more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48231) on Aug. 1, 2025, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs - FY2025 Budget and Appropriations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Foreign Operations Funding/53 Title II: U.S. Agency for International Development Title II provides funding for USAID's administrative accounts, including the Operating Expenses (OE), Capital Investment Fund, and Office of Insp more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12998) on Sept. 11, 2025, by telecommunications policy analyst Amanda H. Peskin. Here are excerpts: * * * The Emergency Alert System: Status of Current Funding for Improvements Emergency Alerts: Background and Distribution Methods Responsive and effective emergency alerts can increase the likelihood that people will take protective action to mitigate the risk of harm during  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11362) on Sept. 10, 2025, by legislative attorney Jay B. Sykes: * * * Federal Court Endorses Behavioral Remedies, Rejects Structural Relief, in Google Search Antitrust Litigation On September 2, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia released its remedies decision in United States v. Google, an antitrust case involving Google's conduct in certain mark more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11361) on Sept. 10, 2025, by legislative attorney Karen Sokol: * * * The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's Expropriation Exception The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA, codified as amended at 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1330 & Sec.Sec. 1602 11) addresses the immunity of foreign states from the jurisdiction of U.S. federal and state courts. In February 2025, the Supreme Court i more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12407) on Sept. 9, 2025, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Andrew Tilghman. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 Military Construction Appropriations: A Summary Department of Defense (DOD) military construction and family housing programs fund infrastructure to support military operations and servicemembers around the world. The Biden Administration's fiscal year 2025 (FY202 more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10328) on Sept. 8, 2025, by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Clayton Thomas: * * * The Islamic State and Its Affiliates The Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIS, ISIL, or Da'esh) is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group. At its 2015 height, the group controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria from which it launched and inspired attacks in the region and b more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10215) on Sept. 10, 2025, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke. Here are excerpts: * * * Mexico's Migration Control Efforts For more than a decade, consecutive U.S. Administrations have sought to coordinate with Mexico to reduce unauthorized migration to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported record numbers of migrant encount more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13098) on Sept. 8, 2025, by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay and immigration policy analyst Jill H. Wilson: * * * National Park Service: Fee Increases for International Visitors Congress has debated various measures to generate additional funds for the National Park System in light of a large backlog of deferred maintenance on system lands. One option under di more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11679) on Sept. 12, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's DDG(X) program envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy's Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers and older Arleigh more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R43546) on Aug. 1, 2025, entitled "Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress" by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Summary The John Lewis (TAO-205) class oiler shipbuilding program is a program to build a new class of 20 fleet oilers for the Navy. The Navy procured the first TAO-205 in FY2016, and a total of more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11674) on Sept. 12, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Light Replenishment Oiler (TAOL) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's Light Replenishment Oiler (TAOL) program, previously called the Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program, envisages procuring a new class of 13 at-sea resupply ships for  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11826) on Sept. 12, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy has been procuring Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998. The Navy's envisaged successor to the Virginia-class design is the Next-Generat more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS22937) on Sept. 9, 2025, entitled "Nuclear Cooperation with Other Countries: A Primer" by nonproliferation specialistsPaul K. Kerr and Mary Beth D. Nikitin. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In order for the United States to engage in significant civilian nuclear cooperation with other states, it must conclude a framework agreement that meets specific requirements under Section 123 of the A more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11460) on Sept. 10, 2025, by financial economics specialists Andrew P. Scott and Karl E. Schneider. Here are excerpts: * * * Overdraft: Payment Service or Small-Dollar Credit? Funding Gaps in Consumer Finances One of the earliest documented cases of bank overdraft dates back to 1728, when a Royal Bank of Scotland customer requested a cash credit to allow him to withdraw more more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46234) on July 16, 2025, entitled "School Meals and Other Child Nutrition Programs: Background and Funding" by social policy analyst Kara Clifford Billings. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The federal government has a long history of investing in programs for feeding children, starting with federal aid for school lunch programs in the 1930s. Today, federal child nutrition programs support f more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46234) on July 16, 2025, entitled "School Meals and Other Child Nutrition Programs - Background and Funding:" (Continued from part 1 of 4) * * * National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) NSLP and SBP (the school meals programs) provide federal support for meals served in more than 90,000 public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide./58 They als more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46234) on July 16, 2025, entitled "School Meals and Other Child Nutrition Programs - Background and Funding:" (Continued from part 2 of 4) * * * Nutrition Standards and Food Service Nutrition Standards for School Meals Nutritional requirements for school meals have changed throughout the history of the school meals programs./112 The most recent child nutrition reauthorization, the HHFKA in  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46234) on July 16, 2025, entitled "School Meals and Other Child Nutrition Programs - Background and Funding:" (Continued from part 3 of 4) * * * Summer Food The SFSP and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) provide federal reimbursements for summer meals./170 SFSP is open to school food authorities, local public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations, while SSO is specifically for school  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11346) on Sept. 9, 2025, by Danielle M. Trachtenberg, international trade and finance analyst: * * * Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 Title III of the Trade Act of 1974 (Sections 301-310, 19 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.2411-2420), titled "Relief from Unfair Trade Practices," is often collectively referred to as "Section 301." Under Section 301, Congress grants the Office of the United  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL33487) on Sept. 5, 2025, entitled "Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy" by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy Since the December 2024 collapse of the government of Bashar Al Asad, Syrians have pursued political and economic opportunities created by the end of the country's twelve-year civil war. Inter more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL33487) on Sept. 5, 2025, entitled "Syria - Transition and U.S. Policy:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Syria and the United Nations Security Council In 2025, the UN Security Council has called for "an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process facilitated by the United Nations and based on key principles" in Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015)./46 These include "commit more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL33487) on Sept. 5, 2025, entitled "Syria - Transition and U.S. Policy:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * U.S. Sanctions and Syria From 1979 to 2024, the United States placed a broad array of sanctions on the government of Syria, Syrian entities and individuals, and third parties supporting certain Syrian government activities. The United States also imposed targeted sanctions on terrorist more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12135) on Sept. 9, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S. Army's Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) System What Is the Army's Mid-Range Capability (MRC) System? Improved Chinese and Russian long-ranged artillery systems, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the proliferation of special munitions (such as precision, thermo more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11038) on Sept. 12, 2025, by section research manager Michael A. Foster and firearms policy analyst Jordan B. Cohen: * * * U.S. Gun Policy: Framework and Major Issues Recent Congresses have enacted legislation modifying certain aspects of the existing federal regulatory regime on firearms and have considered a range of other proposals. The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12945) on Sept. 11, 2025, by defense policy analysts 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 long periods of time, to str more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12981) on Sept. 8, 2025, 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) responsible for deterring "strategic attack through a safe, secure, effective, and credible, global combat capabili more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12569) on Sept. 8, 2025, by Liana Wong, international trade and finance analyst: * * * U.S. Tariff Actions and U.S.-South Korea Trade Since January 2025, the Trump Administration has imposed tariffs affecting most exports from South Korea. In 2024, South Korea was the sixth-largest U.S. goods trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods totaling $200 billion. The U.S.-South Ko more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11284) on Sept. 9, 2025, by Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-China Trade Relations The People's Republic of China (PRC or China) is the second-largest global economy and has been a top U.S. trading partner since joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. China is a key export market for U.S. aircraft, agriculture, semico more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11255) on Sept. 11, 2025, by foreign affairs analyst Jared G. Tupuola. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S.-Papua New Guinea Relations: Issues for Congress Overview The Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) lies in a region of the southwest Pacific known as Melanesia on the eastern side of the island of New Guinea. It is the most populous Pacific Islands country (PIC), with o more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10230) on Sept. 8, 2025, by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke: * * * Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy Over the past several Congresses, some Members have expressed concerns about authoritarian rule under Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (2013-present). Maduro took office after a narrow electoral victory following the death of Hugo Chavez (in o more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12945) on Sept. 11, 2025, by legislative attorney Cassandra J. Barnum: * * * The Void-for-Vagueness Doctrine in Criminal Law Vagueness as Constitutional Violation Defendants in federal criminal cases often challenge their prosecutions by arguing that the laws they allegedly violated are unconstitutionally vague. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires that no pe more PR