WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12155) by American national government analyst Barry J. McMillion and senior research librarian Jennifer E. Manning. Here are excerpts: * * * Appearances by Sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justices at Congressional Committee and Subcommittee Hearings (1/1/1960 to 7/15/2026) This Insight provides historical information and analysis related to appearances by sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justices at congressional committee and subcommit more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13269) by Science and Technology Policy analyst Todd Kuiken: * * * Artificial Intelligence and Biosecurity Issues Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term generally used to refer to computerized systems that work and react in ways commonly thought to require human intelligence. AI technologies, methodologies, and applications may benefit biological science research and development (R&D). For example, AI could be used in conjunct more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11471) by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte and international trade and finance specialist Rebecca M. Nelson: * * * Central Bank Digital Currencies Policymakers have debated whether the Federal Reserve (Fed) should create a central bank digital currency (CBDC) - a "digital dollar." A CBDC would share some of the technical features of cryptocurrencies (crypto) - that is, private digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, w more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48984) on July 14, 2026, entitled "The Certification of Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft: In Brief" by aviation policy specialist Bart Elias. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents The Advanced Air Mobility Concept ... 1 Federal Actions to Support Advanced Air Mobility Operations ... 2 New Aircraft Designs ... 3 Powered-Lift Aircraft ... 4 AAM Compared with Conventional Airplanes and Helicopters ... 5 New Aircraft Type Certification ... 5 Po more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12713) by American national government analyst Karen L. Shanton. Here are excerpts: * * * Commission Without Commissioners: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission 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, Commissioners Th more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13270) by American national government specialist R. Sam Garrett. Here are excerpts: * * * Coordinated Party Expenditures: Policy Background On June 30, 2026, in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission (NRSC v. FEC), the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated federal statutory limits on a type of political party spending known as coordinated party expenditures. This CRS In Focus provides brief policy b more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12962) by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak and science and technology policy analyst Todd Kuiken. Here are excerpts: * * * DNA Methylation: Applications to Living Marine Resource Management Introduction Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that contains the genetic information of an organism (Figure 1). It consists of two linked strands of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, which make up the "bac more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48110) on July 14, 2026, entitled "Department of Defense Contractors and Efforts to Mitigate Foreign Influence" by defense policy analyst Alexandra G. Neenan: * * * SUMMARY Some U.S. firms, including some Department of Defense (DOD) contractors, receive foreign investment or have other ties to foreign entities, including foreign firms and foreign governments. DOD is "using a secondary Department of War designation," under Executive Order (E. more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45977) on July 9, 2026, entitled "The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act: A Primer" by education policy specialist Rebecca R. Skinner. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The primary source of federal aid for elementary and secondary education is the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - particularly its Title I-A program, which authorizes federal aid for the education of disadvantage more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45977) on July 9, 2026, entitled "The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act - A Primer:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Title II: Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-Quality Teachers, Principals, and Other School Leaders Title II includes programs centered on teachers, school leaders (e.g., principals), literacy, and American history and civics education. Programs focused on teachers  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42854) entitled "Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation" by Megan Stubbs, agricultural conservation and natural resources policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers several permanently authorized programs to help producers recover from natural disasters. Most of these programs offer financial assistance to producers for a loss in the production of crops or liv more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45210) on July 10, 2026, entitled "Farm Bills: Major Legislative Actions, 1965-2026" by agricultural policy specialist Jim Monke. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The farm bill provides an opportunity for Congress to address agricultural and food issues comprehensively about every five years. Over time, farm bills have tended to become more complicated and politically sensitive. As a result, the timeline for reauthorization has become less  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46499) entitled "The Federal Home Loan Bank System and Selected Policy Issues" by financial economics specialist Darryl E. Getter. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932 (FHLB Act; P.L. 72-304, 47 Stat. 128) created the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system, which was established to address frequent liquidity shortfalls, or cash flow disruptions, experienced by mortgage lenders during the Great Depression. Co more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46499) entitled "The Federal Home Loan Bank System and Selected Policy Issues:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Current Financial Structure and Public Mission The FHLBs are financial intermediaries that, similar to depositories, match savers with borrowers. Under a traditional intermediation business model, a firm borrows funds from savers (e.g., depositors) and uses those funds to originate longer-term consumer and commercial business  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46499) entitled "The Federal Home Loan Bank System and Selected Policy Issues:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Policy Issues As the FHLB system has evolved, its overall effectiveness in fulfilling its mission goals has been an ongoing policy concern. Specifically, Congress expanded FHLB membership eligibility to include commercial banks and removed the minimum mortgage asset requirement of 10% (see "Instability in the Commercial Bankin more PR

WASHINGTON, July 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49027) on July 10, 2026, entitled "Federal Weather Radar: In Brief" by natural resource policy specialist Eva Lipiec. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Extreme weather events, such as high winds, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall, impact communities across the United States each year. These extreme events can result in property damage, injuries, and lives lost. Multiple federal agencies have an interest in weather forecasting and warning. For ex more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12707) by financial economics specialist Andrew P. Scott. Here are excerpts: * * * Financial Data Privacy in the 119th Congress No single law provides a framework for regulating data privacy and protection in the United States. Instead, several laws cover different industries, and numerous laws cover aspects of cybersecurity for the financial system. For the financial industry, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLBA; P.L. 10 more PR

WASHINGTON, July 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49028) on July 10, 2026, entitled "Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 - Context, Overview, Summary of Provisions" by Erica A. Lee emergency management and disaster recovery specialist Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which leads federal emergency management and disaster relief efforts, has recently been subject to numerous calls for reform. For years, state and local governm more PR

WASHINGTON, July 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49028) on July 10, 2026, entitled "Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 - Context, Overview, Summary of Provisions:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025: Section Analyses The tables below provide brief summaries of each section of the committee's FEMA Act of 2025 (based on the amended version of the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 4669 offered by Represen more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49030) on July 13, 2026, entitled "Forward-Funded Federal Education Programs - Frequently Asked Questions" by education policy specialist Rebecca R. Skinner and legislative attorney Sean Stiff. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In the annual appropriations process, Congress elects to make appropriations for certain federal education programs, in part, on a forward-funded basis. Programs funded in this manner receive appropriations in an appr more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12706) by military personnel specialist Kristy N. Kamarck. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2027 NDAA: Military Basic Pay Raise Proposal President's Budget Request for Basic Pay Raise The President's budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2027 for the Department of Defense (DOD, see "Note") proposes "$5.8 billion for a 7-6-5 percent targeted military pay raise effective on January 1, 2027." The "7-6-5" formulation would provide for a  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12985) by housing policy specialist Libby Perl. Here are excerpts: * * * Homelessness On a single night in 2025, there were 745,652 total people experiencing homelessness, 479,332 of whom were sheltered and 266,320 of whom were unsheltered. Homelessness decreased compared to 2024 by a small percentage, both overall and for some populations. The federal government requires homeless data collection, and provides funding for hou more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12709) by housing policy specialist Libby Perl: * * * HUD's FY2026 Continuum of Care Program Competition The Continuum of Care (CoC) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), funds housing and services to assist people experiencing homelessness. CoC funds are awarded through a competitive process announced in annual Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). CoC NOFOs set priorities that, more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49032) on July 14, 2026, entitled "Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 119th Congress." The report is written by immigration policy specialists Jill H. Wilson, Holly Straut-Eppsteiner, Andorra Bruno, William A. Kandel, Abigail F. Kolker and Audrey Singer. Here are excerpts: * * * This report discusses immigration-related bills that have received congressional action in the 119th Congress as of the report's cover date. For the purpose more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49032) on July 14, 2026, entitled "Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 119th Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Nonimmigrants Nonimmigrants are foreign nationals who are lawfully admitted to the United States for a temporary period and specific purpose (e.g., tourism, study, work). Nonimmigrant visa categories are identified by letters and numbers based on the INA sections that authorize them./57 The 119th Congress has acte more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12320) by public finance analysts Anthony A. Cilluffo and Brendan McDermott. Here are excerpts: * * * Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Standard Mileage Rates The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides standard mileage rates as optional methods for taxpayers to substantiate their transportation expenses. This Insight reviews how the standard mileage rates are set, who uses them, and a history of the rates. Who Uses the Standard more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12106) by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr: * * * Iran and Nuclear Weapons Production Since the early 2000s, Tehran's construction of gas centrifuge uranium enrichment facilities has generated widespread concern in Congress that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons. According to past U.S. intelligence assessments, Tehran had the capacity to produce nuclear weapons at some point but had halted its nuclear weapons program  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12708) by foreign affairs analyst Daniel J. Longo: * * * Japan's Evolving Defense Policy and the U.S.Japan Alliance Introduction In 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been implementing major changes to Japan's security policies, with important implications for the U.S.-Japan alliance and the Indo-Pacific region. Forged after Japan's defeat in World War II, the alliance has long anchored the U.S. security role in  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12730) by Clare Y. Cho, industrial organization and business policy specialist: * * * Kids Online Safety Act Beginning in the 117th Congress, some Members of Congress introduced different versions of a Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) - a bill seeking to address harms to minors online by creating requirements for certain online platforms, among other provisions. In the 119th Congress, different versions of KOSA have been introduc more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48946) on July 14, 2026, entitled "National Nuclear Security Administration FY2027 Budget and Policy Issues - In Brief" by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink and nonproliferation specialist Mary Beth D. Nikitin. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is a semiautonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). NNSA is responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, car more PR

WASHINGTON, July 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49026) on July 10, 2026, entitled "NOAA's Geostationary Extended Observations Satellite Program and Issues for Congress" by natural resource policy specialists Caitlin Keating-Bitonti and Eva Lipiec. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) typically deploys a new generation of geostationary satellites every two decades. Geostationary satellites operated by NOAA's National Environmental Sat more PR

WASHINGTON, July 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49026) on July 10, 2026, entitled "NOAA's Geostationary Extended Observations Satellite Program and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Issues for Congress The Trump Administration aims to reduce federal spending by modifying GeoXO./78 Modifications to the GeoXO program, including the number of satellites and planned instruments, may impact NOAA's continuous observational coverage over the Western Hemisphere, among oth more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10003) by Maeve P. Carey, government organization and management specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * An Overview of Federal Regulations and the Rulemaking Process Overview of Rulemaking What Is Federal Rulemaking? Congress often grants rulemaking authority to federal agencies to implement statutory programs. The regulations issued pursuant to this authority can carry the force and effect of law and have substantial implicat more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12873) by foreign assistance analyst Nick M. Brown. Here are excerpts: * * * The Peace Corps The Peace Corps is an independent agency that sends American volunteers to serve at the grassroots level in developing countries in order to advance three goals: * promote world peace and friendship by improving the lives of the communities where volunteers serve, * help others understand American culture, and * share volunteers' e more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12148) by environmental policy specialist Laura Gatz: * * * Regulating PFAS Under the Clean Water Act In recent decades, improvements in analytical methods and monitoring technologies, along with health research, have increased national attention to the presence of emerging contaminants in surface water. Detections of one particular group of contaminants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have heightened public and c more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12402) by economic development policy analyst Adam G. Levin. Here are excerpts: * * * The SBA's Small Business Development Centers Program Overview The Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide free counseling, training, and resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs. SBDCs operate in partnership with state governments and higher education institutions. This flagship more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49031) on July 14, 2026, entitled "Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities Funded by the CHIPS Act: Project Status and Considerations for Congress" by Yong W. Kwon, industrial organization and business policy analyst: * * * SUMMARY Integrated circuits on silicon semiconductors - commonly called semiconductor microchips or "chips" - are components in electronic devices that perform functions such as data processing and storage. These chips are e more PR

WASHINGTON, July 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49031) on July 14, 2026, entitled "Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities Funded by the CHIPS Act - Project Status and Considerations for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Considerations for Congress Congress may look to evaluate implementation progress to date and weigh policy options regarding existing or potential future incentives programs and policies. FY2026 is the last year for which the CHIPS Act of 2022 provides future ye more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12705) by science and technology policy analyst Marcy E. Gallo. Here are excerpts: * * * Small Business Research Programs Reauthorized After Six-Month Lapse On April 13, 2026, President Trump signed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (P.L. 119-83) into law. P.L. 119-83 reauthorized the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilo more PR

WASHINGTON, July 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12761) by financial economics analyst Karl E. Schneider. Here are excerpts: * * * Sports Betting and Consumer Finance Sports betting involves risking money on the outcomes of athletic events. Before 2018, sports gambling was illegal in most states. In 2018, the Supreme Court held in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA; P.L. 102-559) was uncon more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48644) on July 9, 2026, entitled "Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Public Transportation" by transportation policy specialist William J. Mallett. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Federal funding assistance to public transportation agencies is provided primarily through the public transportation program administered by the Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The federal public transportation program wa more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48644) on July 9, 2026, entitled "Surface Transportation Reauthorization - Public Transportation:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Low and No Emission Vehicle Program Although public transportation buses account for a relatively small share of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from transportation, federal policy has focused to some extent on reducing emissions by providing grant funding specifically for purchasing alternatively fueled  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12685) by health policy analyst Alexandria K. Mickler. Here are excerpts: * * * Title V State Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grants Overview Title V of the Social Security Act (SSA; P.L. 74-121, as amended; 42 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.701-709) permanently authorizes the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant, which aims to improve the health of pregnant women, mothers, and children, particularly those with low-inc more PR

WASHINGTON, July 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R49025) on July 9, 2026, entitled "Tribal Energy Resource Agreements: Overview and Selected Issues for Congress" by natural resources policy specialist Mariel J. Murray. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Pursuant to the federal trust responsibility and various federal statutes, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and federally recognized Tribes (hereinafter Tribes) manage energy production on tribal lands. The federal trust responsibility is more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10673) by international trade and finance specialist Shayerah I. Akhtar. Here are excerpts: * * * U.S. Trade and Development Agency: Background and Issues The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) funds early-stage activities to support development projects in developing and middle-income countries, with a focus on sectors with "significant" U.S. export potential. USTDA describes itself as "the U.S. government's first mov more PR

WASHINGTON, July 15 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11456) by legislative attorney Jimmy Balser: * * * U.S. v. Benson: Sixth Circuit Denies Federal Demand for State Voter Registration List The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested election records - including statewide voter registration lists (SVRL) with detailed voter data - from the majority of states and, in some cases, has sued to enforce compliance with its demands. Among the suits, federal district courts  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11455) by legislative attorney Daniel T. Shedd: * * * Veterans Law: Unaccredited Representatives Federal law prohibits an individual from charging any fee for assisting in the filing of an initial claim for VA benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In recent years, some Members of Congress, veteran service organizations (VSOs), and veterans have expressed concerns with certain for-profit entities charging more PR