WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48982) entitled "The 2026 Childhood Immunization Schedule." The report is written by health policy specialists Kavya Sekar and Alexandria K. Mickler and health care financing analyst Vanessa C. Forsberg. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Since 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has published an annual immunization schedule for children and adolescents ( more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48982) entitled "The 2026 Childhood Immunization Schedule:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Discussion of HHS's Justifications Comparison of the U.S. Vaccination Schedule with Those of Other Countries An individual country's public health system may weigh a range of factors when determining and developing vaccine recommendations. These considerations for a specific vaccine recommendation commonly include sociodemographic characteristics more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48982) entitled "The 2026 Childhood Immunization Schedule:" (Continued from Part 3 of 2) * * * Potential Implications of the Revised Schedule As mentioned at the beginning of this report, a federal district court stayed the 2026 revised childhood immunization schedule in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Kennedy, meaning that the effective date of the revised schedule is postponed while the court considers the case./116 The district court a more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48983) entitled "China's Role in the International Financial Institutions" by international trade and finance specialist Rebecca M. Nelson. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents China and the IFIs: Key Policy Issues ... 1 Historical Context ... 2 China as a Recipient of Development Assistance ... 4 China's Representation at the IFIs ... 7 PRC Firms and MDB Procurement ... 12 Selected Policy Options for Congress ... 14 Figures Figure 1. I more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12689) by Latin American affairs specialist Clare Ribando Seelke. Here are excerpts: * * * Colombia's 2026 Presidential Election On June 4, 2026, Colombian authorities certified the results of a May 31 first-round presidential election in which right-wing political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella exceeded expectations, garnering 44% of the vote to finish ahead of left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact (PH) more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11439) by deputy assistant director Michael John Garcia and legislative attorney Peter J. Benson: * * * Congressional Court Watcher: Circuit Splits from May 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 consequentia more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48976) entitled "Connecting Constituent Organizations to Behavioral Health Funding" by senior research librarian Ada S. Cornell: * * * SUMMARY This report provides information and resources to assist congressional offices with responding to constituent questions about federal funding for local organizations that provide behavioral health services. Constituent organizations supporting behavioral health (i.e., mental health and substance use)  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48295) entitled "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Budget: Background, Trends and Policy Options" by financial economics specialists Karl E. Schneider and Baird Webel. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank; P.L. 111-203). Dodd-Frank specified that the CFPB would be funded outside of congressional app more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48295) entitled "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Budget - Background, Trends and Policy Options:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Policy Options and Legislation: 119th Congress Since the creation of the CFPB, Members of Congress have continued to debate various policy options regarding the funding structure and other aspects of the agency in order to either further strengthen its independence or bring it under tighter congressio more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11362) by research librarian Clayton M. Levy. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is a military cemetery administered by the Office of Army Cemeteries. Located in Arlington County, Virginia, the cemetery was created in 1864 during the Civil War from 200 acres of plantation land that once belonged to George Washington Parke Custis, step-grandson of the first U. more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48979) on June 9, 2026, entitled "DHS Budget Request Analysis: FY2027" by William L. Painter, homeland security and appropriations specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY DHS Budget Request Analysis: FY2027 On April 3, 2026, President Donald Trump's Administration released its budget request for FY2027, including $118.39 billion in total budget authority for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS is the third largest agency i more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48979) on June 9, 2026, entitled "DHS Budget Request Analysis - FY2027:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * Component-Level Analysis Law Enforcement Operational Components (Title II) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) * * * Figure 3. CBP Annual Gross Discretionary Budget Authority Source: CRS analysis of the CBP Fiscal Year 2027 Congressional Justification, Fiscal Year 2027 Budget of the U.S. Government: Appendix, and the explana more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48979) on June 9, 2026, entitled "DHS Budget Request Analysis - FY2027:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Support Components (Title IV) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) * * * Figure 22. USCIS Annual Gross Discretionary Budget Authority Source: CRS analysis of the USCIS Fiscal Year 2027 Congressional Justification, Fiscal Year 2027 Budget of the U.S. Government: Appendix, and the explanatory statement accompanying the  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13243) by education policy analyst Rita R. Zota. Here are excerpts: * * * Direct Loan Program: Student Loan Repayment Plans When an individual borrows from the Direct Loan program, they assume a contractual obligation to repay that debt over a period of time that may span a decade or more. While borrowers are required to make payments on a monthly basis, they may currently choose from among a number of loan repayment plans to  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R47295) by senior research librarian Ben Leubsdorf: * * * Economic Forecasts and Projections: Fact Sheet SUMMARY Economic projections (also called forecasts) are predictions about the future behavior of economic and financial indicators. They can help lawmakers in assessing the likelihood of key events such as recessions, addressing budget and economic challenges, and estimating the effects of policy changes. Many government agencies and more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12696) by energy policy specialist Michael Ratner. Here are excerpts: * * * Effects of Iran Conflict on Natural Gas Prices The U.S./Israel military operations against Iran that commenced on February 28, 2026, quickly raised the specter of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the Persian Gulf for the transit of natural gas, oil, and other commodities. Approximately 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG), more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11211) by section research manager Kristin Archick. Here are excerpts: * * * The European Parliament and U.S. Interests A Key EU Institution The European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected institution of the 27-country European Union (EU). The EP's current 720 members represent the EU's roughly 450 million citizens. The EP has accumulated more power over time (most recently with the 2009 Lisbon Treaty) as part of E more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46799) entitled "The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: Legal Issues" by legislative attorneys Jared P. Cole and Madeline W. Donley. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Schools generate and maintain numerous student records, including grades, standardized test scores, disciplinary accounts, contact information, mental health records, and more. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which applies to educational agencies a more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46799) entitled "The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - Legal Issues:" (Continued from part 1 of 2) * * * FERPA Exceptions The statute also contains numerous exceptions that allow for disclosure of student education records in certain situations. While the carve-out for directory information allows for disclosure as a general matter (provided schools satisfy the notice requirement), FERPA exceptions are more specific in that they t more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13245) by health policy specialist Amanda K. Sarata: * * * FDA Regulation of AI-Enabled Devices Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled applications are increasingly used in health care, including for financial, administrative, and clinical purposes. They hold the promise of increased efficiency, improved quality of care, and better health outcomes, while simultaneously challenging regulators, clinicians, payers, and legislators  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12026) by Elizabeth M. Webster, emergency management and disaster recovery specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) provides supplemental grants to local government and nonprofit organizations to support and expand existing programs that aid individuals and families who are, or are at risk  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13244) by health care financing specialist Ryan J. Rosso and research assistant Alice Y. Choi. Here are excerpts: * * * Health Savings Account Contributions: By the Numbers A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged account that eligible individuals can use to save and pay for qualified medical expenses. Eligibility to contribute to an HSA is generally associated with enrollment in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10404) by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Iraq The Republic of Iraq (Figure 1) sits at a crossroad in the Middle East region, with ties to Iran, Turkey, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula that shape Iraqi interests, create constraints and opportunities, and attract intervention. In May 2026, Shia Arab businessman Ali Al Zaydi was sworn in as Prime Minister after Iraq's pa more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13210) by natural resources policy analyst Anthony R. Marshak: * * * The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA): Issues for the 119th Congress The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended (MSA; 16 U.S.C. Sec.1801 et seq.), is the primary law authorizing the conservation and management of U.S. federal marine fisheries (i.e., those occurring in waters up to 200 nautical miles b more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13242) by transportation policy specialists Ben Goldman and John Frittelli. Here are excerpts: * * * Major Railroad Mergers and Acquisitions On July 29, 2025, Union Pacific Railroad (UP) announced that it had agreed to acquire Norfolk Southern Railway (NS). If the transaction is approved, it would reduce the number of U.S. Class I railroads - defined as having annual operating revenues of $900 million or more in inflation-adju more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (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. While the agency generally has discretion to release aliens from custody during the pendency of their removal proceedings, some categories of aliens must be detained. Under 8  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48980) entitled "Noncompetitive Federal Contract Awards: Other than Full and Open Competition" by Dominick A. Fiorentino, government organization and management analyst and David H. Carpenter, legislative attorney. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY In the context of federal procurement, Congress has long been interested in the view that increased competition among potential vendors could result in (1) lower prices, (2) higher quality goods a more PR

WASHINGTON, June 11 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48980) entitled "Noncompetitive Federal Contract Awards - Other than Full and Open Competition:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Agency Justifications of Noncompetitive Contract Awards Although agencies have discretion to use noncompetitive procedures in certain circumstances, CICA requires that agencies justify their actions in writing./78 In contrast to D&Fs, which are required to support a variety of procurement actions, J&As are use more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48974) entitled "Researching Critical Minerals: Selected Resources" by research librarians Michael P. Jourdan and Emily N. Peterson: * * * SUMMARY The demand for critical minerals and rare earth elements is increasing due to their applications in various advanced and emerging technologies, including batteries, semiconductors, medical equipment, solar and wind energy systems, and certain military equipment. The increasing demand has led to sup more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48978) entitled "Russian Military Activities in Asia: Combined Military Exercises and Patrols" by Andrew S. Bowen, Russian and European affairs analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Historically, Russia has claimed a role as a major actor in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2012, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a policy by which Russia would seek to emphasize and further develop economic and trade opportunities with Asia, in part more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11045) by natural resources policy specialist Anthony R. Marshak. Here are excerpts: * * * Sea Lion Predation on Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Since the 1990s, concerns have persisted about sea lion predation on salmonids (i.e., salmon and steelhead trout [steelhead; Oncorhynchus mykiss]) and certain other fishes, including in the Columbia River and Puget Sound. Management of these species has been complicated by require more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11179) by natural resources policy specialist Anne A. Riddle. Here are excerpts: * * * Stewardship End Result Contracting: Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Stewardship end result contracting, often called stewardship contracting, is a Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracting and cooperative mechanism that allows these agencies to combine restoration services and forest product harvesting more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11930) by Middle Eastern affairs specialist Christopher M. Blanchard. Here are excerpts: * * * Syria and U.S. Policy Syria is in the midst of a political transition shaped by the legacies of decades of authoritarian rule and more than a decade of unrest and conflict that displaced millions and killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians from 2011 through 2024. Ahmed Al Sharaa, whose movement ousted the Iran- and Russia-backed reg more PR

WASHINGTON, June 12 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48962) on June 9, 2026, entitled "Transition of Servicing Defaulted Federal Student Loans to the Department of the Treasury: Background and Observations" by social policy specialist Alexandra Hegji. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY As of December 31, 2025, the Department of Education's (ED's) portfolio of defaulted federal student loans comprises loans of about 7.8 million borrowers (about 18% of all federal student loan borrowers) owing $1 more PR

WASHINGTON, June 10 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13246) by foreign affairs analyst Daniel J. Longo. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S.-South Korea Alliance: Issues for Congress Overview The U.S.-South Korea (Republic of Korea, or ROK) alliance dates to the 1950-1953 Korean War, during which more than 36,000 Americans died in-theater helping South Korea repel an invasion by North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) intended to reunify the country under com more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48973) entitled "Vegetation Management for Wildfire Mitigation Along Electric Power Line Rights-of-Way on Federal Lands" by natural resources policy analyst Alicyn R. Gitlin. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Congress has shown interest in protecting lives and property from catastrophic wildfires and in protecting electric grid reliability. Electric power line rights-of-way (hereinafter, power line ROWs) often cross multiple land jurisdiction more PR

WASHINGTON, June 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48973) entitled "Vegetation Management for Wildfire Mitigation Along Electric Power Line Rights-of-Way on Federal Lands:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * BLM-Specific Regulations and Policies BLM regulates power line ROWs as part of its ROW program under FLPMA./78 BLM requires plans or agreements from operators for all new, renewed, or amended power line ROWs./79 BLM's regulations specify plan requirements, timelines for plan approvals an more PR

WASHINGTON, June 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN10979) by Kelsi Bracmort, natural resources and energy policy specialist: * * * Year-Round Sale of E15 E15 - a fuel blend of up to 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline - generally cannot be sold during the summer driving season (June 1-September 15) because it does not meet gasoline Reid vapor pressure (RVP) requirements, which limit fuel volatility under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The CAA statute allows the U.S. Environmental Protection  more PR