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.
7,225 reports in the mirror. Filtered to Reports. 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.
Reports (7,225)
Showing the 100 most recently published.
| Published | ID | Type | Title | Bills cited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | R43581 | Reports | Export-Import Bank of the United States: Overview and Reauthorization Issues The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank, EXIM, or the Bank), a wholly U.S. government-owned corporation, aims to support U.S. jobs by financing and facilitating U.S. exports when: (1) the private sector is unwilling or unable to provide financing at acceptable rat… by Shayerah Ilias Akhtar, Shayerah I. Akhtar | 8 |
| 2026-05-07 | R45483 | Reports | Statistics on Women in National Governments Around the World Women and girls make up half of the world’s population. However, in most countries, women are underrepresented in the political process at the national level. As this report shows, on April 1, 2026, women held 27.4% of legislative seats around the world, an increase from 16.6% of… by Travis A. Ferrell | 4 |
| 2026-05-07 | R45997 | Reports | Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Structural Features and Function This report describes the structure, activities, legislative history, and funding history of the 11 federal regional commissions and authorities. Those commissions are the
Appalachian Regional Commission;
Delta Regional Authority;
Denali Commission;
Great Lakes Authority;
Mid-… by Julie M. Lawhorn | 4 |
| 2026-05-07 | R47230 | Reports | Organization of American States: In Brief The Organization of American States (OAS) is a regional multilateral organization that comprises 34 of the 35 independent countries of the Western Hemisphere, including the United States; Nicaragua withdrew from the organization in 2023. The OAS was established in 1948 as a forum… by Peter J. Meyer | |
| 2026-05-07 | R48253 | Reports | Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations for FY2025 The House and the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittees are charged with providing annual appropriations for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development … by Jennifer J. Marshall, Maggie McCarty, Jennifer J. Marshall | 9 |
| 2026-05-07 | R48732 | Reports | ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 The Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025 (S. 2651, also known as the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025) was introduced and reported to the Senate on August 1, 2025. The bill contains eight titles comprised of 40 sections, which address several housing polic… by Katie Jones, Darryl E. Getter, Henry G. Watson | 55 |
| 2026-05-07 | R48849 | Reports | Housing for the 21st Century Act The Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) was passed by the House on February 9, 2026. The bill contains six titles comprising 38 sections, which address several housing policy topics as well as several banking topics. According to the committee report accompanying the rep… by Katie Jones, Maggie McCarty, Henry G. Watson | 57 |
| 2026-05-07 | R48937 | Reports | Congressional Votes on Surface Transportation Authorizations, 1978-2021 Prior to 1978, Congress enacted separate highway and public transportation authorization acts. Congress began passing multiyear surface transportation authorization acts in 1978. These acts were often extended prior to the passage of subsequent multiyear acts. This report compile… by Lena A. Maman | |
| 2026-05-07 | R48939 | Reports | National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) appropriations legislation funds many U.S. nondefense international affairs activities. Between FY2008 and FY2025, the bill was titled Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropr… by Carlos Acevedo, Cory R. Gill, Emily M. McCabe | |
| 2026-05-06 | 97-1011 | Reports | Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws … by Ida A. Brudnick | 61 |
| 2026-05-06 | 98-336 | Reports | Senate Committee Hearings: Arranging Witnesses Selecting witnesses is one of the most important aspects of planning a Senate hearing. Committees and subcommittees pay careful attention to which viewpoints will be represented, who should testify, and the order and format for presenting witnesses. A witness must be invited by a… by Valerie Heitshusen, Valerie Heitshusen | |
| 2026-05-06 | 98-337 | Reports | Senate Committee Hearings: Scheduling and Notification Senate standing committees have authority to hold hearings whether the Senate is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned (Rule XXVI, paragraph 1). Regardless of the type of hearing or whether a hearing is held in or outside of Washington, hearings share common aspects of plann… by Valerie Heitshusen, Valerie Heitshusen | |
| 2026-05-06 | 98-392 | Reports | Senate Committee Hearings: Witness Testimony Generally, witnesses before Senate committees (except Appropriations) must provide a committee with a copy of their written testimony at least one day prior to their oral testimony (Rule XXVI, paragraph 4(b)). It is common practice to ask a witness to limit his or her oral remark… by Valerie Heitshusen, Valerie Heitshusen | |
| 2026-05-06 | 98-489 | Reports | Senate Committee Hearings: Preparation Committee hearings allow Senators an opportunity to gather information on—and draw attention to—legislation and issues within a committee’s purview, conduct oversight of programs or agencies, and investigate allegations of wrongdoing.
This checklist identifies, primarily for staf… by Valerie Heitshusen, Valerie Heitshusen | |
| 2026-05-06 | R45770 | Reports | The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC): Overview and Selected Issues for Congress The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is an independent federal agency that is charged with helping election officials to improve the administration of elections and voters to participate in the electoral process. It was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (H… by Karen L. Shanton | 10 |
| 2026-05-06 | R47021 | Reports | Federal Involvement in Ocean-Based Research and Development Multiple federal departments and agencies conduct ocean-based research, monitoring, and/or technological development. Federal departments and agencies also may support academic, commercial, and nonprofit ocean-based research activities. The interpretation of oceanographic data co… by Caitlin Keating-Bitonti, Caitlin Keating-Bitonti | |
| 2026-05-05 | R44760 | Reports | State Innovation Waivers: Frequently Asked Questions Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended) provides states with the option to waive specified requirements of the ACA. In the absence of these requirements, a state is to implement its own plan to provide health insurance covera… by Ryan J. Rosso, Ryan J. Rosso | |
| 2026-05-05 | R47072 | Reports | Gasoline Price Increases: Federal and State Authority to Limit “Price Gouging” Fluctuations in gasoline prices, including those resulting from crude oil supply chain concerns related to international events, have renewed focus on the role of the government in discouraging gasoline “price gouging.” Price gouging is a phrase commonly used to refer to sellers … by Adam Vann | 4 |
| 2026-05-05 | R48422 | Reports | HOME Program 2025 Final Rule: In Brief The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is a federal block grant program that provides funding to states and eligible localities to be used exclusively for affordable housing activities to benefit low-income households. On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urba… by Henry G. Watson | |
| 2026-05-05 | R48936 | Reports | The Electoral College: Frequently Asked Questions Individual voters in the United States do not directly elect the President and the Vice President. Instead, their votes select intermediaries, known as electors, to cast votes for a presidential ticket on their behalf. Those electors make up the electoral college, which elects th… by R. Sam Garrett | 3 |
| 2026-05-04 | R47597 | Reports | India-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress India, home to more than one-sixth of global population, became the world’s most populous country in 2023 and the fifth-largest global economy in 2025. Many factors contribute to the “great power” aspirations expressed by India’s government and many of its people: the country’s r… by Shayerah I. Akhtar, Shayerah I. Akhtar, K. Alan Kronstadt | 18 |
| 2026-05-04 | R48406 | Reports | Connecting Veterans and Veterans Organizations to Federal Transportation Assistance Many veterans have transportation needs that affect their daily lives. Specifically, veterans often require access to medical facilities for their own care and may not have access to transportation.
More than 9 million veterans are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs’… by Michele L. Malloy, Tamar B. Breslauer, Michele L. Malloy | |
| 2026-05-04 | R48413 | Reports | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Primer The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides federal grants to the 50 states, District of Columbia, and territories (collectively, “states”), as well as Indian tribes. TANF helps fund state-run programs of cash assistance for needy families with childre… by Gene Falk | |
| 2026-05-04 | R48903 | Reports | The Strait of Hormuz in Brief: Non-Oil Shipments and Effects on U.S. Shippers Before U.S. and Israeli military operations began against Iran on February 28, 2026, the average number of ships from various countries transiting through the Strait of Hormuz (the Strait) was about 130 each day. As of April 28, 2026, a smaller number of ships have risked the tra… by John Frittelli, Ben Goldman | |
| 2026-05-04 | R48934 | Reports | Introduction to Tribal Forestry The United States and federally recognized Tribes (“Tribes”) have a unique relationship that affects federal policies regarding forestry on tribal lands. In particular, the United States has a federal trust responsibility, which is a legal obligation under which the United States… by Mariel J. Murray, Anne A. Riddle | 6 |
| 2026-05-04 | R48935 | Reports | Facial Recognition Technology: Definitions, Applications, and Policy Considerations for Congress Facial recognition technology (FRT) is a type of biometric technology designed to identify or verify an individual by analyzing unique and measurable facial features. FRT has received attention from policymakers and the public, in large part because of technical advances and use … by Dominique T. Greene-Sanders | 3 |
| 2026-05-01 | R48481 | Reports | The Appointments Clause: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions The Appointments Clause is a provision in Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution that provides the “exclusive means” of appointing “Officers of the United States,” as distinct from “mere employees” or “lesser functionaries” of the federal government. Lucia v. SEC, 58… by Victoria L. Killion | |
| 2026-05-01 | R48880 | Reports | The Annual Mandatory Spending Sequester Through FY2033 Since FY2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been required to calculate, and the President to order, annual across-the-board reductions (“sequestration”) to certain mandatory spending accounts and programs. This process—often referred to as either the “Joint Commit… by Drew C. Aherne | |
| 2026-05-01 | R48930 | Reports | Government Shutdowns: Applying the Antideficiency Act to a Lapse in Appropriations Congress funds much of the federal government through a series of 12 regular, annual appropriations acts. A significant portion of that funding is for a single fiscal year, and most agencies thus rely on passage of new appropriations before the end of that fiscal year to have uni… by Sean Stiff, Matthew D. Trout | 8 |
| 2026-05-01 | R48932 | Reports | The Senior Executive Service: Overview and Recent Developments The Senior Executive Service (SES) was established in the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) of 1978 as a centralized personnel system of government managers. The vast majority of members of the SES are career appointees who generally comprise the highest levels of leadership within… by Maeve P. Carey | |
| 2026-04-30 | R48289 | Reports | Congressional Votes Related to the Israel-Hamas Conflict This report compiles congressional votes on legislation, including amendments and resolutions, related to the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, 2023. CRS compiled the information presented in this report from the Congress.gov, ProQuest Congressional, and CQ (Congress… by Clayton M. Levy, Travis A. Ferrell | 46 |
| 2026-04-30 | R48917 | Reports | S.Con.Res. 33: The FY2026 Budget Resolution In April 2026, the House and Senate adopted S.Con.Res. 33, a budget resolution for FY2026. The budget resolution generally represents an agreement between the House and Senate on a budgetary plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Certain budgetary levels established in the budget res… by Drew C. Aherne, Megan S. Lynch | 2 |
| 2026-04-30 | R48927 | Reports | Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY2027 Budget Request: In Brief This report provides a brief overview of the President’s FY2027 budget request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It also identifies relevant Administration budget documents and CRS reports. by Alyse N. Minter | |
| 2026-04-30 | R48928 | Reports | Restoring the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem The Great Salt Lake—located in Utah—is the largest saline lake in the United States. The Great Salt Lake supports wetland habitat for shorebirds, migratory birds, and waterfowl. The lake also supports several economically important activities for the region, including tourism, re… by Charles V. Stern, Anna E. Normand, Laura Gatz | 1 |
| 2026-04-30 | R48929 | Reports | Overview of FY2027 Appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) This report describes actions to provide FY2027 appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) accounts. The annual CJS appropriations act provides funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce, which includes bureaus and offices such as the Census Bureau… by Nathan James | 1 |
| 2026-04-29 | R43419 | Reports | NASA Appropriations and Authorizations: At a Glance Congressional deliberations about the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) often focus on the availability of funding. This product provides data on past and current NASA appropriations, as well as the President’s FY2027 budget request and recent congressional act… by Rachel Lindbergh | 9 |
| 2026-04-29 | R44491 | Reports | Internships in Congressional Offices: Frequently Asked Questions Many interns serve in various congressional offices, assisting individual Members, committees, and other offices or support services. Interns serve the House or Senate in a temporary capacity, primarily for an educational benefit, although some interns may receive pay for their s… by Sarah J. Eckman | 1 |
| 2026-04-29 | R44997 | Reports | The Vacancies Act: A Legal Overview The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (Vacancies Act or Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 3345–3349e) generally provides the exclusive means for a government employee to perform temporarily the functions and duties of a vacant presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position in an executive… by Valerie C. Brannon | 1 |
| 2026-04-29 | R46797 | Reports | Finding Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Payment System Rules: Schedules and Resources The Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) program pays physicians, hospitals, and other health care facilities based on statutorily established payment systems, most of which are updated annually through regulations. The publication of Medicare FFS proposed and final rules follow schedu… by Michele L. Malloy, Michele L. Malloy | |
| 2026-04-29 | R48641 | Reports | Proposals to Limit Member of Congress Financial Activities: Analysis of Introduced Legislation in the 119th Congress In recent years, some Members of Congress have proposed reforms that would prohibit the purchase, sale, or ownership of certain financial instruments by Members of Congress and other specified congressional officers and employees. Additionally, in both the 117th Congress (2021-20… by Jacob R. Straus | 40 |
| 2026-04-29 | R48923 | Reports | First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority: Reauthorization and Selected Issues In the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96)—in response to communications issues experienced during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and other disasters—Congress created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). The Firs… by Colby Leigh Pechtol, Amanda H. Peskin | 7 |
| 2026-04-29 | R48925 | Reports | The Food and Drug Administration’s Food Traceability Rule: Overview and Issues for Congress Foodborne illness outbreaks and subsequent recalls have garnered broad public attention to the safety of the U.S. food supply. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA; P.L. 111-353), enacted in 2011, aimed to improve food safety, among other obj… by Laura Pineda-Bermudez | 2 |
| 2026-04-29 | RL30787 | Reports | Parliamentary Reference Sources: House of Representatives House procedures are based not only on the rules the chamber adopts at the start of each Congress but also on constitutional mandates, published precedents, rulemaking statutes, procedural principles detailed in Jefferson’s Manual, and informal practices. In addition, House commi… by Sarah B. Solomon | 1 |
| 2026-04-28 | R48129 | Reports | U.S. Secret Service Protection Mission Funding and Staffing: Fact Sheet Members of Congress periodically focus on the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and its protection mission. The USSS has been protecting Presidents, other specific federal government officials, and their families for over 100 years. Over these years, USSS protection activities and opera… by William L. Painter, Shawn Reese, William L. Painter | |
| 2026-04-28 | R48921 | Reports | Paid Sick Leave in the United States Paid sick leave is generally a compensated, excused absence from work for the purposes of medical recovery, treatment, or examination. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80% of private sector workers had access to paid sick leave in March 2025, but the availability of l… by Sarah A. Donovan | 7 |
| 2026-04-28 | R48931 | Reports | Sports Reform in the United States: College Athletics and the Olympic Sports Pipeline In the United States, the last decade has seen substantial disruption of both college and Olympic sports. The two systems are closely integrated because college athletic programs function as an essential part of America’s Olympic sports pipeline by providing opportunities for eli… by Ben Wilhelm | 5 |
| 2026-04-27 | R47627 | Reports | Electricity Transmission Permitting Reform: Issues and Legislative Proposals Permitting reform for energy infrastructure continues to be a topic of interest in Congress. Some Members of Congress are particularly interested in the processes for planning, siting, approving, and paying for electricity transmission lines (referred to as transmission permittin… by Ashley J. Lawson, Ashley J. Lawson | 21 |
| 2026-04-27 | R48918 | Reports | The 2026 Farm Bill (H.R. 7567): Comparison with Current Law Congress has established federal policy related to the food and agriculture sectors through periodic farm bills since the 1930s. The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law and is the primary piece of legislation that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. The most re… by Lisa S. Benson, Randy Alison Aussenberg, Eleni G. Bickell | 1 |
| 2026-04-27 | R48926 | Reports | Enforcement of Federal Pollution Control Laws Congress has enacted an array of statutes designed to protect the environment and human health from the impacts of pollution. These laws allow the government, and sometimes private parties, to pursue enforcement actions against those who violate statutory requirements or prohibit… by Cassandra J. Barnum, Kate R. Bowers, Andrew S. Coghlan | 1 |
| 2026-04-24 | R43397 | Reports | Legislative Branch Appropriations: Frequently Asked Questions This report responds to frequently asked questions about legislative branch appropriations. Frequently asked questions include the items that are funded within this bill; development, presentation, and consideration of the legislative branch budget requests; the legislative branc… by Ida A. Brudnick | 6 |
| 2026-04-24 | R46412 | Reports | Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): Frequently Asked Questions Veterans service organizations (VSOs) offer a range of services for veterans, servicemembers, dependents, and survivors. Some VSOs may provide programming for veterans in their communities, such as job fairs. Others may organize events to raise money for subsets of veterans, such… by Tamar B. Breslauer, Tamar B. Breslauer | |
| 2026-04-24 | R47605 | Reports | Connecting Older Adults to Information on Benefits and Services Older adults often contact congressional offices with questions about federal benefits, programs, and services. This report assists Members and congressional staff helping older adults navigate this landscape by connecting them to information from federal agencies and federally f… by Angela Napili, Tamar B. Breslauer, Tilly Finnegan-Kennel | |
| 2026-04-23 | R48725 | Reports | Social Security Administration (SSA) Staffing Levels: Data Brief The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency in the executive branch headed by the commissioner of Social Security. It is responsible for administering Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, which are the nation’s primary income support programs fo… by William R. Morton | |
| 2026-04-23 | R48863 | Reports | Local and Regional Project Assistance Program: Background and Selected Considerations Local and Regional Project Assistance (LRPA) is a competitive grant program for transportation projects of significant local and regional impact. The name of the program and grant requirements have changed across Administrations, and it is currently known as the Better Utilizing … by Jennifer J. Marshall | 1 |
| 2026-04-23 | R48933 | Reports | Electricity Distribution Transformers: Supply, Tariffs, and Policy Options Supply of electricity distribution transformers essential to the electric power grid has been strained in the last few years, with implications for post-disaster recovery and plans for grid expansion. Distribution transformers are located near the service connection with residenc… by Martin C. Offutt | 10 |