Congressional Research Service reports
The Congressional Research Service is the nonpartisan policy-research arm of Congress. CRS analysts write briefings (long-form Reports, short-form Insights, 2-page In Focus sheets) that members + staff use to understand the substance of every active issue. Until FY2019 NDAA §1141, these were not public; now the Library of Congress publishes them and we mirror via api.congress.gov.
13,824 reports in the mirror. Each report's bill-citation list (curated by CRS in relatedMaterials) projects into cited_in_report edges so every bill page surfaces the CRS briefs Congress had on the topic.
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Reports (13,824)
Showing the 100 most recently published.
| Published | ID | Type | Title | Bills cited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-22 | IF13233 | Resources | Medicare’s Site-Neutral Payment Policy Overview
By law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determines Medicare program Parts A and B payments to providers and suppliers for services furnished to covered beneficiaries through multiple payment systems. Some Medicare payment systems pay for services furni… by Jim Hahn, Wen W. Shen | |
| 2026-05-22 | IN12534 | Posts | Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Diplomatic Talks and U.S. Policy The Russian Federation (Russia) launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. More than four years later, Russia and Ukraine remain engaged in Europe’s largest war in scope and scale since World War II. With estimates ranging from up to 1.3 million to 1.8 million ki… by Andrew S. Bowen, Cory Welt | 7 |
| 2026-05-22 | LSB11248 | Posts | School Employee Discrimination Lawsuits and Title IX: Supreme Court Grants Review The Supreme Court has granted a petition seeking review of a case about how two different federal laws that both ban sex discrimination—one in the workplace, the other in schools—relate to one another. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) bars (among other things… by Jared P. Cole | |
| 2026-05-22 | R48881 | Reports | Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Passenger and Freight Rail Issues The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) contained, among other provisions, a five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation (highway, public transportation, and rail) programs set to expire on September 30, 2026. Funding for Amtrak or for discr… by Ben Goldman | 6 |
| 2026-05-22 | RL34035 | Reports | Grants Work in a Congressional Office Members of Congress frequently receive requests from grantseekers needing funds for projects in districts and states. In considering a response, a congressional office might first determine its policies and procedures regarding appropriate assistance to give constituents, such as… by Maria Kreiser | |
| 2026-05-21 | IF11070 | Resources | John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood Children are removed from families and placed into foster care due to incidents of abuse, neglect, or other family crisis. On September 30, 2025, more than 102,000 young people aged 14 or older were in foster care. More than 15,000 young people emancipated from care in FY2025, me… by Patrick A. Landers | 1 |
| 2026-05-21 | IF11504 | Resources | Infertility in the Military Over the past two decades, Congress has considered various legislative actions concerning the provision of infertility services and reproductive care for servicemembers and their families. The Department of Defense (DOD), which is “using a secondary Department of War designation”… by Bryce H. P. Mendez, Michael J. Vassalotti | 2 |
| 2026-05-21 | IF12125 | Resources | Section 301 and China: The U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal On January 15, 2020, then-President Donald J. Trump signed a trade agreement with then-Vice Premier Liu He of the People’s Republic of China (PRC, or China). The agreement sought to resolve some long-standing complaints by U.S. government and businesses asserting that China was e… by Karen M. Sutter | |
| 2026-05-21 | IF12735 | Resources | U.S. Extended Deterrence and Regional Nuclear Capabilities One of the stated goals of U.S. nuclear weapons policy has been to extend deterrence to over 30 U.S. “allies and partners” and assure these countries that the United States will come to their aid, including potentially by using U.S. nuclear weapons, if they are attacked. The 2010… by Anya L. Fink | |
| 2026-05-21 | IF12940 | Resources | The Federal Reserve’s Mandate: Policy Options The Federal Reserve (Fed) is responsible for monetary policy, which it conducts mainly by setting short-term interest rates to affect economic activity. (For more information, see CRS In Focus IF11751, Introduction to U.S. Economy: Monetary Policy.) Monetary policy is guided by t… by Marc Labonte | 1 |
| 2026-05-21 | IF13232 | Resources | Unemployment Compensation, Strikes and Lockouts in 2025 Introduction
Eligible unemployed workers may receive weekly income support from the joint federal-state Unemployment Compensation (UC) program while they search for new work. In general, such workers must have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and be able, available, … by Julie M. Whittaker, Katelin P. Isaacs | 5 |
| 2026-05-21 | R44027 | Reports | Tracking Federal Awards: USAspending.gov and Other Data Sources USAspending.gov, available at http://www.USAspending.gov, is a government source for data on federal awards by state, congressional district (CD), county, city, and zip code. The awards data in USAspending.gov are provided by federal agencies and represent contracts, grants, loan… by Jennifer Teefy | |
| 2026-05-21 | R48606 | Reports | 2025 Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) Force Structure and Organizational Proposals: Background and Issues for Congress On April 30, 2025, Secretary of Defense (War) Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum, “Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform,” directing the Secretary of the Army to
implement a comprehensive transformation strategy, streamline its force structure, eliminate wasteful spending, ref… by Andrew Feickert, Ebrima M'Bai | 2 |
| 2026-05-21 | R48953 | Reports | FY2025 State Grants Under Title I-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), most recently comprehensively amended by the, Every Student Succeeds Act (P.L. 114-95), is the primary source of federal aid to support elementary and secondary education. The Title I-A program is the largest grant program author… by Rebecca R. Skinner, Joe Angert | |
| 2026-05-21 | R48954 | Reports | Data.gov: Implementation and Perspectives on Its Functions Over many decades, Congress has legislated policies to provide federal data to different types of users for a variety of purposes or “use cases.” From constituents seeking to learn more about the functions of their representative government to researchers seeking authoritative da… by Meghan M. Stuessy, Clinton T. Brass | |
| 2026-05-20 | IF13231 | Resources | Indexing Capital Gains Taxes for Inflation: Marginal Effective Tax Rates and Revenue Estimates Proposals to index capital gains taxes for inflation have recently generated public debate. For example, S. 798 and H.R. 1857 would inflation index capital gains on assets held for at least three years. Some Members of Congress have also advocated for the Administration to adopt … by Jane G. Gravelle, Mark P. Keightley | 2 |
| 2026-05-20 | IN11618 | Posts | Congressional Redistricting Criteria and Considerations Congressional redistricting involves creating geographic boundaries for U.S. House districts within a state. Following each decennial census, House districts are first allocated among states through apportionment (or reapportionment), then allocated within states based upon each … by Sarah J. Eckman | 11 |
| 2026-05-20 | R42504 | Reports | VA Home Loan Programs The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has assisted veterans with homeownership since 1944, when Congress enacted the loan guaranty program to help veterans returning from World War II purchase homes. The loan guaranty program assists veterans by insuring mortgages made by priva… by Libby Perl | |
| 2026-05-20 | R45951 | Reports | Apportionment and Redistricting Process for the U.S. House of Representatives The census, apportionment, and redistricting are interrelated activities that affect representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressional apportionment (or reapportionment) is the process of dividing seats for the House among the 50 states following the decennial ce… by Sarah J. Eckman | 36 |
| 2026-05-20 | R48952 | Reports | Opportunity Zones Round Two Selection Process: Frequently Asked Questions The Opportunity Zone program provides tax incentives to taxpayers who invest in certain designated geographic areas. The program was enacted in 2017, as part of P.L. 115-97, and began operations in 2018. It was initially set to expire by the end of 2028; however, the program was … by Anthony A. Cilluffo, Donald J. Marples | |
| 2026-05-20 | R48955 | Reports | CARES Act Eviction Notice Requirements: Background and Recent Developments The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business operations nationwide, leading to dramatic job losses that threatened the ability of many to meet their financial obligations, including housing rental payments. It brought attention to the risks posed by potential increased evictions and … by David H. Carpenter, Maggie McCarty | |
| 2026-05-19 | IF10213 | Resources | Sri Lanka: Background and Issues for Congress The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a constitutional democracy situated off the southeastern tip of India. A democracy since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1948, Sri Lanka (known as Ceylon until 1972) is located along key sea lines of communication in t… by Colin Willett, William Piekos | |
| 2026-05-19 | IF11737 | Resources | China: Nuclear and Missile Proliferation The U.S. government for decades has expressed concerns about China’s proliferation of nuclear- and missile-related technologies to other countries, with recent focus on the threat of Chinese acquisition of U.S.-origin nuclear technology. (See CRS In Focus IF11050, New U.S. Policy… by Paul K. Kerr, Paul K. Kerr | |
| 2026-05-19 | IF13223 | Resources | The Federal Role in Hazardous Wildfire Fuel Treatments Introduction
Hazardous fuels are combustible vegetation that accumulates on the landscape, presenting a threat of starting and spreading wildfires that resist control. Hazardous fuels and their associated wildfire threats cross land management and ownership boundaries. Federal an… by Alicyn R. Gitlin | 2 |
| 2026-05-19 | IF13229 | Resources | Executive Order 14395, “Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud” Background
Fraud, the act of obtaining something of value through willful misrepresentation, is a growing concern for the federal government. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, convictions for government benefits fraud increased 242% between 2020 and 2024. During the pa… by Garrett Hatch | |
| 2026-05-19 | IN12670 | Posts | Parametric Insurance for Natural Disasters: Frequently Asked Questions The Administration and Congress are considering reform to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The FEMA Review Council issued its final report on May 7, 2026. One of the recommendations in the report is to develop a parametric funding model for an up-front lump-sum for… by Baird Webel, Diane P. Horn | |
| 2026-05-19 | IN12689 | Posts | Colombia’s 2026 Presidential Election On May 31, Colombia, a top U.S. security partner in Latin America, is scheduled to convene an election to replace President Gustavo Petro (2022-present), who is constitutionally barred from seeking reelection. U.S. officials and some Members of Congress have expressed concerns ab… by Clare Ribando Seelke | |
| 2026-05-19 | R45546 | Reports | Management of the Colorado River: Water Allocations, Drought, and the Federal Role The Colorado River Basin covers more than 246,000 square miles in seven U.S. states (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California) and Mexico. Pursuant to federal law, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation, part of the Department of the Interior) manages … by Charles V. Stern, Pervaze A. Sheikh, Kristen Hite | 7 |
| 2026-05-19 | R46943 | Reports | Voter Registration Records and List Maintenance for Federal Elections Each state except North Dakota requires voter registration as a prerequisite for voting in federal elections. The accuracy of voter registration records is often considered important for election administration, as these records are typically used to create poll books (lists of e… by Sarah J. Eckman | 51 |
| 2026-05-19 | R48736 | Reports | Vehicle Geolocation Data Collection: Issues for the 119th Congress Passenger and fleet vehicles collect several types of data, including geolocation data. Vehicle geolocation data support features such as navigation, emergency response services, vehicle tracking applications, personalized insurance rates, and fleet management tools. Automotive m… by Naseeb A. Souweidane | 11 |
| 2026-05-19 | R48951 | Reports | Shark Conservation and Management in the United States Shark conservation and management in the United States have received attention from stakeholders and Congress due to biological, aesthetic, human safety, and other factors related to sharks. Stakeholders have discussed issues related to the status of shark populations, specifical… by Anthony R. Marshak, Pervaze A. Sheikh | 17 |
| 2026-05-18 | 98-684 | Reports | Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections This fact sheet tracks current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It provides dates of the last and next elections for the head of government and the national independence date for each country. by Carla Y. Davis-Castro | |
| 2026-05-18 | IF11175 | Resources | U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations The 119th Congress is engaged in a range of legislative and oversight activities related to trade policy toward Mexico, which in 2025 was the largest U.S. trading partner in total trade (exports plus imports) of goods and services. Mexico’s proximity to the United States and the … by Danielle M. Trachtenberg | |
| 2026-05-18 | IF11797 | Resources | The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) The Significance of the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russia and China. The Army believes to address this threat, it must be able to operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water, space, cyber, info… by Andrew Feickert, Ebrima M'Bai | |
| 2026-05-18 | IF13230 | Resources | Current Hantavirus Outbreak and Considerations for Congress Background and Current Hantavirus Outbreak
Hantavirus is a zoonotic pathogen carried by rodents (e.g., mice and rats) and transmitted to humans generally from contact with their droppings, urine, and saliva. On May 2, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) received notificati… by Todd Kuiken, Kavya Sekar, Pervaze A. Sheikh | |
| 2026-05-18 | IN12519 | Posts | Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum In 2025, President Trump expanded and increased existing steel and aluminum tariffs, imposed since 2018 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. §1862). Section 232 authorizes the President to impose trade restrictions if the Secretary of Commerce determine… by Keigh E. Hammond, Kyla H. Kitamura | 10 |
| 2026-05-18 | R43341 | Reports | National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding: FY1996-FY2026 This report details the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget and appropriations process with a focus on FY2025 and FY2026. NIH is the primary federal agency charged with conducting and supporting medical, health, and behavioral research. The agency consists of 27 Institutes… by Kavya Sekar, Kavya Sekar, Joe Angert | |
| 2026-05-18 | R46974 | Reports | Cybersecurity: Selected Cyberattacks, 20122025 Many Members of Congress have raised concerns over the frequency, types, and impacts of cyber incidents during hearings, speeches, and in legislation. Cyber incidents affect nearly every national entity, from federal and state government agencies to private companies and individu… by Chris Jaikaran | |
| 2026-05-18 | R48922 | Reports | Comparison of Selected Versions of H.R. 6644 Each chamber of Congress has considered and approved a multifaceted housing bill in the 119th Congress:
On August 1, 2025, the Senate Banking Committee reported the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025 (S. 2651). On October 9, 2025, a version … by Henry G. Watson, Katie Jones, Maggie McCarty | 3 |
| 2026-05-15 | IF13228 | Resources | Department of Labor’s Proposed Regulation on Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives Introduction
The fiduciary standards in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA; P.L. 93-406) require that individuals (referred to as fiduciaries) who make decisions in private-sector pension plans adhere to specified standards of conduct. The standards includ… by John J. Topoleski, Elizabeth A. Myers | |
| 2026-05-15 | IN12693 | Posts | FEMA Review Council: Final Report On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the FEMA Review Council (FRC), established by President Donald J. Trump to undertake a “full-scale review” of the agency, held its final meeting and voted to approve its final report of findings and recommendations.
Establishment of FEMA Review Council … by Diane P. Horn, Erica A. Lee, Elizabeth M. Webster | 5 |
| 2026-05-15 | LSB11432 | Posts | Congressional Authority to Regulate Presidential Recordkeeping When Richard Nixon stepped from the White House lawn onto Marine One after resigning the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal, he could well have assumed that some of the most familiar remnants of his administration—hundreds of audio tape recordings of conversations he… by Todd Garvey | |
| 2026-05-15 | R44629 | Reports | Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs): Background and Issues for Congress Federally funded research and development centers, or FFRDCs, are a special class of research institutions that are dependent on federal support, but operated and managed by contractors. FFRDCs are intended to provide federal agencies with R&D capabilities that cannot be effectiv… by Marcy E. Gallo | |
| 2026-05-15 | R47640 | Reports | Energy Leasing and Agreement Authorities on Tribal Lands: In Brief Congress has enacted many authorities for leasing and agreements that enable energy production on tribal lands. Various statutes require that the Secretary of the Interior approve tribal leases or agreements. DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has primary authority for negotiat… by Mariel J. Murray | |
| 2026-05-15 | R48190 | Reports | SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program: Structure and Current Issues To address discriminatory barriers in federal procurement markets for certain business owners, Congress has sought to help small “socially and economically disadvantaged” businesses through the 8(a) Business Development Program. Statutory authority for the program is contained in… by R. Corinne Blackford | 2 |
| 2026-05-15 | R48534 | Reports | Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-3) Spectrum: Issues for Congress Radio spectrum refers to the range of radio frequencies used to enable wireless communications. Technologies such as smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, radionavigation systems on ships, military radar systems, and police radios rely on radio frequencies to transmit and receive communica… by Jill C. Gallagher | 4 |
| 2026-05-15 | R48948 | Reports | Suspension of the Federal Gas Tax: In Brief In May 2026, the average price of a gallon of gasoline for U.S. consumers had increased more than $1.50 compared with the price in February 2026. President Trump and multiple Members of Congress have proposed suspending the federal excise tax on gasoline as a way to potentially o… by Ali E. Lohman | 5 |
| 2026-05-14 | IF11459 | Resources | Defense Primer: Hypersonic Boost-Glide Weapons The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD; currently “using a secondary Department of War designation” under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025) is pursuing two types of hypersonic weapons technologies: boost-glide systems that place a maneuverable glide vehicle atop a balli… by Kelley M. Sayler | |
| 2026-05-14 | IF11729 | Resources | Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Background
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service’s light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV consists of two variants: the four-seat Combat Tactical Vehicle (C… by Andrew Feickert, Ebrima M'Bai | 1 |
| 2026-05-14 | IF13077 | Resources | National Landslide Preparedness Act and the Status of Landslide Risk Reduction In 2021, Congress passed the National Landslide Preparedness Act (NLPA; P.L. 116-323, 43 U.S.C. §§3101 et seq.). Among its provisions, the NLPA directs the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter, the Secretary), acting through the Director of the U.S Geological Survey (USGS), to … by Linda R. Rowan | 5 |
| 2026-05-14 | IF13227 | Resources | The McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) Introduction
The McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) of 1965, 41 U.S.C. §§ 6701-6707, requires the payment of locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits to employees working pursuant to contracts that
are made by the federal government or the District of Columbia;
involv… by Elizabeth Weber Handwerker, Jon O. Shimabukuro | 4 |
| 2026-05-14 | LSB11431 | Posts | Congressional Redistricting: High Court Narrows Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais On April 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Callais significantly narrowed the circumstances under which a racial vote dilution challenge to a redistricting map can be made under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended (VRA). In Callais, the Court hel… by L. Paige Whitaker | |
| 2026-05-14 | R44306 | Reports | The H-2B Visa and the Statutory Cap The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952, as amended, enumerates categories of foreign nationals, known as nonimmigrants, who are admitted to the United States for a temporary period of time and a specific purpose. One of these nonimmigrant visa categories—known as the H… by Andorra Bruno | 4 |
| 2026-05-14 | R47207 | Reports | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Funding Overview The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works to protect public health by providing leadership, information, and scientific expertise in preventing and controlling diseases, including outbreaks of infectious diseases. CDC also works to promote health and quality of l… by Kavya Sekar, Kavya Sekar, Alexa C. DeBoth | |
| 2026-05-14 | R48946 | Reports | National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) FY2027 Budget and Policy Issues: In Brief 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, carrying out nuclear nonproliferation activities and nuclear and radiological emergen… by Anya L. Fink, Mary Beth D. Nikitin | |
| 2026-05-14 | R48947 | Reports | Department of Transportation FY2027 Funding Request The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for the federal regulation and funding of most modes of U.S. transportation. DOT is mainly organized into operating administrations that each oversee a mode of transportation (e.g., Federal Aviation Administration [FAA]) or ma… by William J. Mallett, John Frittelli, Ben Goldman | 1 |
| 2026-05-13 | IF13226 | Resources | Seabed Mining on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf: Background and Recent Developments As part of a national effort to secure reliable supplies of critical minerals, President Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14285 of April 24, 2025, “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources.” One potential source of offshore critical minerals is the federal… by Caitlin Keating-Bitonti, Laura B. Comay | 3 |
| 2026-05-13 | IN12692 | Posts | U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congress Overview
On February 28, 2026, the United States, in coordination with Israel, initiated military operations against Iran under the designation Operation Epic Fury (OEF). The conflict has involved air, maritime, and missile combat engagements across the Middle East. The pace of c… by Jennifer DiMascio, Daniel M. Gettinger | |
| 2026-05-13 | R43729 | Reports | The Work Opportunity Tax Credit The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that allows employers that hire individuals with certain personal characteristics to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals. WOTC-eligible populations include … by Sarah A. Donovan, Benjamin Collins, Anthony A. Cilluffo | |
| 2026-05-13 | R48163 | Reports | Foreign Nationals in the U.S. Armed Forces: Immigration Issues Enlistment and appointment in the U.S. Armed Forces is currently limited to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and residents of certain Pacific Islands (Freely Associated States). The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) may also authorize the enlist… by Holly Straut-Eppsteiner | 12 |
| 2026-05-13 | R48945 | Reports | Housing Cost Burdens in 2024: In Brief This report uses the 2024 American Community Survey to quantify the prevalence of housing cost burden in the United States in 2024. The report describes differences in housing cost burden rates among renters and homeowners across various demographic groups and income brackets. by Mark P. Keightley, Maggie McCarty | |
| 2026-05-13 | RL31675 | Reports | Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process 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 services, or the retransfer to third-party stat… by Paul K. Kerr | |
| 2026-05-12 | IF11836 | Resources | Defense Primer: Quantum Technology Quantum technology translates the principles of quantum physics into technological applications. Quantum technology has not yet reached maturity for most applications; however, it could hold significant implications for the future of military sensing, encryption, and communicatio… by Kelley M. Sayler, Kelley M. Sayler | |
| 2026-05-12 | IF11953 | Resources | Evergrande Group and China’s Debt Challenges Since 2021, some Members of Congress have raised issues about debt levels of the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) and possible risks of U.S. exposure to China in the event of PRC corporate defaults or a broader financial crisis. The 2021 default on its domestic and forei… by Karen M. Sutter, Michael D. Sutherland | |
| 2026-05-12 | IF12042 | Resources | Defense Primer: Military Separation and Severance Pay Congress has authorized separation or severance pay for involuntarily and voluntarily discharged servicemembers throughout most of the military’s history (see Table 1). The purposes for these authorities have been three-fold: (1) to ease the transition to civilian life for servic… by Kristy N. Kamarck | |
| 2026-05-12 | IF12601 | Resources | ESEA: Charter Schools Program Charter schools are public schools of choice that are created in accordance with state laws and are publicly funded and tuition-free. They are operated according to the terms of charters or contracts granted by a charter authorizer (e.g., local educational agency [LEA], state-lev… by Rebecca R. Skinner | |
| 2026-05-12 | IF13133 | Resources | Overview of the Medicare Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model On June 22, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new prior authorization (PA) initiative in traditional Medicare, the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model, which is to be tested in six states from January 1, 2026, to December … by Thomas P. Hackman, Michele L. Malloy | |
| 2026-05-12 | IF13224 | Resources | Federal Requirements for Student Consumer Information Transparency in Higher Education In light of rising college costs and growing student loan debt, the availability of practical information about college costs, value, and quality has garnered congressional interest. Students and their families may consult various sources to inform their decisions about pursuing … by Rita R. Zota | 4 |
| 2026-05-12 | IF13225 | Resources | Farm Bill Primer: Horticulture Title Congress has included a horticulture title in the farm bill since the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-234). The horticulture title of a farm bill generally contains reauthorizations, amendments, and new programs that support specialty crops (defined as fruits… by Zachary T. Neuhofer, Jason O. Heflin | |
| 2026-05-12 | R43973 | Reports | Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials and placing flags or wreaths. They may also participate in Memorial Day parades or hold family gatheri… by Elizabeth C. Larson | |
| 2026-05-12 | R48646 | Reports | Data Centers and Their Energy Consumption: Frequently Asked Questions In its simplest form, a data center is a physical facility that houses and runs large computer systems. U.S. data center annual energy use in 2023 (not accounting for cryptocurrency) was approximately 176 terawatt-hours (TWh), approximately 4.4% of U.S. annual electricity consump… by Ling Zhu, Martin C. Offutt, Ling Zhu | 4 |
| 2026-05-12 | R48941 | Reports | Combating Robocalls and Robotexts: Background, Selected FCC Activity, and Legislative Activity in the 119th Congress Curtailing robocalls and robotexts presents challenges for lawmakers, regulators, the telecommunications industry, and consumers. Robocalls are calls made with an automatic telephone dialing system—usually referred to as an “autodialer”—that transmits a message made with a prerec… by Patricia Moloney Figliola | 5 |
| 2026-05-12 | R48942 | Reports | Yemen: In Brief Yemen has been politically, economically, and militarily divided for more than a decade; its slow-burning internal conflicts are at risk of reigniting amid multisided confrontations between regional and global actors. Yemen descended into conflict in 2014 prompting years of forei… by Christopher M. Blanchard | 2 |
| 2026-05-12 | R48943 | Reports | Income and Poverty by State and Congressional District Members of Congress may assess the economic well-being of households in the geographic areas they represent: states and congressional districts. This report describes two widely used statistical measures: median household income (a single number that represents the middle of the … by Ben Leubsdorf, Joseph Dalaker | |
| 2026-05-12 | R48944 | Reports | Energy and Water Development: FY2027 Appropriations The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations (E&W) bill funds civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the Department of Defense; the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and Central Utah Project (CU… by Mark Holt, Anna E. Normand | 4 |
| 2026-05-11 | IF10119 | Resources | China Primer: U.S.-China Relations Introduction
The second Trump Administration has shifted the framing of U.S. policy toward the People’s Republic of China (PRC, or China) away from that of the first Trump and Biden Administrations. Rather than portraying the United States and China as engaged in strategic compet… by Susan V. Lawrence, Karen M. Sutter | 3 |
| 2026-05-11 | IF11755 | Resources | The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) Background
The Marine Corps describes the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) as a
next-generation, eight-wheeled vehicle designed to move Marines from ship to shore. The vehicle will be the primary means of tactical mobility for the Marine infantry battalion at sea and ashore, repl… by Andrew Feickert | |
| 2026-05-11 | IF13222 | Resources | Fees to Administer Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act: Authority, Implementation, and Reauthorizing Legislation In June 2016, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (LCSA; P.L. 114-182) amended Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA; 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) to provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with more authorities to gather informa… by Jerry H. Yen, Angela C. Jones | |
| 2026-05-11 | IN10979 | Posts | 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 statute … by Kelsi Bracmort | 4 |
| 2026-05-11 | IN12545 | Posts | Section 232 Automotive Tariffs: Issues for Congress In 2025, President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on U.S. imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. §1862). Section 232 authorizes the President to take action (e.g., tariffs, quotas, or negotiations) if … by Kyla H. Kitamura | 6 |
| 2026-05-11 | R43434 | Reports | Policy and Legislative Research for Congressional Staff: Finding Documents, Analysis, News, and Training This report is intended to serve as a finding aid for congressional documents, executive branch documents and information, news articles, policy analysis, contacts, and training, for use in policy and legislative research. It is not intended to be a definitive list of all resourc… by Sarah K. Braun, Tilly Finnegan-Kennel, Ellen M. Lechman | |
| 2026-05-11 | R48624 | Reports | Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2026 Budget and Appropriations Congress typically considers 12 distinct appropriations measures on an annual basis to fund federal programs and activities. Since FY2008, one of these measures has been the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bill, which has inclu… by Emily M. McCabe, Cory R. Gill | 7 |
| 2026-05-11 | R48916 | Reports | Retailer Inventory and Pricing Behavior During Supply Chain Disruptions Recent supply chain disruptions have contributed to price increases for certain consumer goods, such as vehicles, groceries, apparel, and consumer electronics. Congress has expressed interest in various types of retailers that sell these consumer goods, particularly after their p… by Michael Alan Havlin, Clare Y. Cho | 7 |
| 2026-05-08 | IF11667 | Resources | China’s Economy: Current Trends and Issues The government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) is targeting China’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) to reach that of a middle-income developed country by 2035. Several factors—slowing growth, an aging population, local government debt, a reliance on fixed… by Michael D. Sutherland, Karen M. Sutter | |
| 2026-05-08 | IF12835 | Resources | The Rice’s Whale: Conservation Efforts, Implications for Ocean Sectors, and Considerations for Congress The Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei; Figure 1) is a recently described species of baleen whale (i.e., whales that contain baleen plates in their mouths for sieving plankton) and one of the rarest whale species in the world. This medium-sized whale is sighted year-round in the no… by Laura B. Comay, Anthony R. Marshak | 4 |
| 2026-05-08 | IF12959 | Resources | The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015: Expiring Provisions A decade ago, Congress authorized a cybersecurity information sharing structure that allows the federal government to collect and disseminate threat information, and enabled private sector entities to voluntarily share that information with the government, as well as among themse… by Chris Jaikaran | |
| 2026-05-08 | IF13219 | Resources | Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: Candidate Qualifications and Noncongressional Nominating Authorities Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates for appointment to four U.S. service academies. These schools are the U.S. Military Academy (USMA); U.S. Naval Academy (USNA); U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA); and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). A fifth servic… by R. Eric Petersen, Sarah J. Eckman | |
| 2026-05-08 | IF13220 | Resources | Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: Member Office Management Considerations Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates for appointment to four U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (USMA); U.S. Naval Academy (USNA); U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA); and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). A fifth service academy, the U.S… by Sarah J. Eckman, R. Eric Petersen | |
| 2026-05-08 | IF13221 | Resources | Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery: A Primer In response to some disasters, Congress has provided supplemental funding for long-term disaster recovery and other related purposes under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program’s statutory authority (42 U.S.C. §§5301 et seq.). Administered by the Department of Hous… by Joseph V. Jaroscak | 2 |
| 2026-05-08 | IN12421 | Posts | Federal Support for Maternal Mortality Review Committees: An Overview Maternal mortality is considered a sentinel health event—one that can signal the overall health status and the broader quality or effectiveness of a nation’s health system. Despite global progress over the past two decades, maternal deaths in the United States remain high and dis… by Alexandria K. Mickler | 7 |
| 2026-05-08 | R48779 | Reports | Hazardous Fuels and Wildfire Mitigation: Background and Congressional Considerations Hazardous fuels are combustible vegetation that accumulates on the landscape, presenting a latent threat of starting and spreading wildfires that resist control. Land managers mitigate hazardous fuels for various reasons, including protecting human life and property; protecting d… by Alicyn R. Gitlin | 49 |
| 2026-05-08 | R48915 | Reports | Preemption and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) First enacted in 1938, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as amended, empowers the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate various products affecting public health, including food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and tobacco products. By FDA’s estimate… by Wen W. Shen, Dorothy C. Kafka | |
| 2026-05-08 | R48940 | Reports | Current Foreign-Born Population by State and Congressional District The United States in 2024 was home to an estimated 50.2 million foreign-born individuals, who lived in every state and congressional district. This report provides a snapshot of recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates for the foreign-born population (i.e., people now living in the Un… by Ben Leubsdorf, Tilly Finnegan-Kennel | |
| 2026-05-07 | 98-311 | Reports | Senate Rules Affecting Committees For the most part, the Senate’s rules allow each of its standing committees to decide for itself how to conduct its legislative business. Senate rules require that each committee adopt and publish its own written rules. In addition, the Senate imposes certain requirements and pro… by Valerie Heitshusen, Valerie Heitshusen | |
| 2026-05-07 | 98-384 | Reports | Senate Consideration of Treaties The consideration of treaties and nominations constitutes the executive business of the Senate. The Senate conducts executive business only after it has resolved into executive session. Senate Rule XXIX is concerned with executive sessions; Rule XXX discusses proceedings on treat… by Valerie Heitshusen, Valerie Heitshusen | |
| 2026-05-07 | IF10298 | Resources | India’s Domestic Political Setting Overview
According to its Constitution, India is a “sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic” where the bulk of executive power rests with the prime minister and his/her Council of Ministers. The Indian president is a ceremonial chief of state with limited executive pow… by K. Alan Kronstadt | |
| 2026-05-07 | IF11831 | Resources | Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) What Is the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV)?
According to the Marine Corps,
The Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) [Figure 1] is a planned effort by the Marine Corps to provide a purpose-built family of vehicles, with new capabilities to support Mobile Reconnaissance, a… by Andrew Feickert | |
| 2026-05-07 | IF12023 | Resources | Farm Bill Primer: Agricultural Research and Extension The farm bill is a multiyear, omnibus law that governs a wide range of federal agricultural and food policy programs. Since 1977, each farm bill has included a title that authorizes and amends agricultural research, extension, and education programs administered by the U.S. Depar… by Eleni G. Bickell | 2 |
| 2026-05-07 | IF12047 | Resources | Farm Bill Primer: Overview and Status A farm bill is a collection of laws and changes to laws that authorize, reauthorize, or amend various food, agriculture, and rural policies. Congress has passed farm bills about every five years for nearly a century. A periodic farm bill provides Congress with an opportunity to r… by Jim Monke, Megan Stubbs | 3 |
| 2026-05-07 | IF13210 | Resources | 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. §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 beyond state or terri… by Anthony R. Marshak | 16 |