WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12976) on Aug. 4, 2025. The white paper is written by environmental policy analyst Elena H. Humphreys and natural resources policy specialists Charles V. Stern and Nicole T. Carter: * * * 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty: Issues in the 119th Congress A water treaty from 1944 - the Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande (1944 Water Treaty) - between the United States and Mexico and more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48564) on Aug. 6, 2025, entitled "Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2026 Appropriations" by agricultural policy specialist Jim Monke. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Agriculture appropriations) funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - except for the U.S. Forest Service - and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, in the Depa more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10521) on Aug. 7, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Authority to Launch Nuclear Forces The U.S. President has sole authority to authorize the use of U.S. nuclear weapons. This authority is inherent in his constitutional role as Commander in Chief. The President can seek advice from his senior military leaders; those military leaders are then required to transmit and implement the orders authorizing nuclear use more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13078) on Aug. 5, 2025, by macroeconomic policy specialist Marc Labonte. Here are excerpts: * * * Bank Capital Requirements and Treasury Market Resiliency Banks play an important role in Treasury markets, where investors trade federal debt. Congress has focused on Treasury market resilience, which is necessary to finance federal borrowing and maintain broader financial stability. The enhanced supplementary leverage ratio (eSLR more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11347) on Aug. 7, 2025, by legislative attorney Todd Garvey: * * * Congressional Access to Personal Health Information The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (Committee) is examining whether White House staff engaged in a "cover-up of President Biden's mental decline" and whether the laws governing presidential incapacity are in need of reform. As part of that investigation, the chairman requested that the more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12635) on Aug. 6, 2025, by natural resources policy specialists Nicole T. Carter and Anna E. Normand. Here are excerpts: * * * The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) can study and construct certain water resource projects of limited size, cost, scope, and complexity without project-specific congressional authorization. USACE performs this work under its programmatic authorities, known as continuing authorities programs (CAPs) more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12021) on Aug. 4, 2025, by natural resources policy specialist Nicole T. Carter. Here are excerpts: * * * Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP) The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA 2014, Title V, Subtitle C, of P.L. 113-121, as amended; 33 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.3901-3915) authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide credit assistance - direct loans or loan guarantees - for more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47982) on July 17, 2025, entitled "Critical Mineral Resources: National Policy and Critical Minerals List" by Linda R. Rowan, natural resources and earth sciences analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY According to a 2008 National Research Council report, a critical mineral is a nonfuel mineral that is essential for use and faces considerable supply chain vulnerabilities. For example, silicon is essential for manufacturing computer chips; more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R47982) on July 17, 2025, entitled "Critical Mineral Resources - National Policy and Critical Minerals List:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Definition of Critical Mineral Sections 7002(a) and (c) of the Energy Act of 2020 defined critical mineral as any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the USGS using three criteria./53 The criteria are as fol more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10484) on Aug. 7, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: Department of the Navy One Military Department with Two Military Services The Department of the Navy (DON) is a single military department that includes two military services - the Navy and the Marine Corps. As such, DON has a single civilian leader, the Secretary of the Navy, and two four-star military service chiefs more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11681) on Aug. 7, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink. Here are excerpts: * * * Defense Primer: LGM-35A Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile The LGM-35A Sentinel is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system that is expected to replace the Minuteman III (MMIII) ICBM in the U.S. nuclear force structure. MMIII has served as the ground-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad - land-based ICBMs, submarine-laun more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12981) on Aug. 7, 2025, by defense policy analyst Anya L. Fink: * * * Defense Primer: U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM or STRATCOM) is a Department of Defense (DOD) functional (as opposed to geographic) combatant command (CCMD) responsible for deterring "strategic attack through a safe, secure, effective, and credible, global combat capability" and "when directed, is ready to prevail in confl more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48231) on July 29, 2025, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: FY2025 Budget and Appropriations" by Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist and Cory R. Gill, foreign affairs analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Each year, Congress considers 12 distinct appropriations measures to fund federal programs and activities. One of these measures is the Department of State, Foreign Operations, a more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48231) on July 29, 2025, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs - FY2025 Budget and Appropriations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Foreign Operations Funding/53 Title II: U.S. Agency for International Development Title II provides funding for USAID's administrative accounts, including the Operating Expenses (OE), Capital Investment Fund, and Office of Inspector General (OIG) accounts./54 For FY2025, the b more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40482) on July 17, 2025, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts" by Cory R. Gill, foreign affairs analyst and Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations legislation funds many U.S. nondefense international affairs more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48607) on July 17, 2025, entitled "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts" by Cory R. Gill, foreign affairs analyst and Emily M. McCabe, foreign assistance and foreign policy specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * Title II - United States Agency for International Development (USAID) This title provides operational funds for USAID, an independent agency under the foreign polic more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44413) on July 25, 2025, entitled "Energy and Water Development Appropriations for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation: In Brief" by economic development policy analyst Joseph V. Jaroscak. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Department of Energy's (DOE's) nonproliferation and national security programs provide technical capabilities to support U.S. efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation and nuclear terrorism. These progr more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12590) on Aug. 4, 2025, by American national government analyst Karen L. Shanton: * * * Executive Order 14248: Action by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission on Voting System Testing and Certification Provisions President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 25, 2025, Executive Order (E.O.) 14248, that addresses federal guidelines, testing, and certification for voting systems, among other topics. The agency that o more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12193) on Aug. 5, 2025, by agricultural policy specialist Jim Monke. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm and Food Support Under USDA's Section 32 Account Congress created a mandatory appropriation in 1935 - the Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income, and Supply (Section 32 of the act of August 24, 1935; 7 U.S.C. 612c). The account supports producers of agricultural commodities that are not supported by other farm support programs,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44692) on July 17, 2025, entitled "Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief" by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Leasing Program Status ... 1 Selected Issues for Congress ... 4 Number of Sales in the 2024-2029 Program ... 4 Timing Considerations for the Five-Year Program ... 5 Regional Leasing Decisions ... 6 Gulf of America Region ... 6 Alaska Regio more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48607) on July 17, 2025, entitled "FY2023 State Grants Under Title I-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act" by education policy specialist Rebecca R. Skinner and research assistant Isobel Sorenson. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), most recently comprehensively amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA; P.L. 114-95), is the primary source of federal aid to support elementary a more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12411) on Aug. 5, 2025, by defense infrastructure policy analyst Andrew Tilghman. Here are excerpts: * * * FY2025 NDAA: Military Construction and Housing Authorizations In 2024, the House passed the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA; H.R. 8070). The Senate reported a draft FY2025 NDAA (S. 4638). Then-President Biden signed it into law (P.L. 118-159 more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10795) on Aug. 4, 2025, by foreign affairs analyst Michael A. Weber. Here are excerpts: * * * Global Human Rights: The Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Introduction The State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices are an annual U.S. government account of human rights conditions in countries around the globe. The reports characterize countries on the basis of their adherence to "i more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40760) on Aug. 5, 2025, entitled "House Office of Congressional Conduct: History, Authority and Procedures" by Congress specialist Jacob R. Straus. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The House Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC; formerly the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE)) was established on March 11, 2008, with the passage of H.Res. 895. In the 119th Congress (2025-2026), the House reauthorized the OCE and renamed it the Office of Con more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R40760) on Aug. 5, 2025, entitled "House Office of Congressional Conduct - History, Authority and Procedures:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Powers The OCC has specific powers to conduct investigations, hold hearings, pay witnesses, and adopt rules. Some of these powers are enumerated in the OCC's authorizing resolution, and others are detailed in rules of conduct to be approved by the OCC. Investigations The OCC's primary responsibil more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10576) on Aug. 7, 2025, by foreign affairs specialist Michael A. Weber: * * * Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Sanctions: The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Global Magnitsky Act; Title XII, Subtitle F of P.L. 114-328, as amended; 22 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.10101 et seq.) authorizes the President to impose economic sanctions and deny entry into the United States to f more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48535) on August 4, 2025, entitled "Membership of the 119th Congress: A Profile" by senior research librarian Jennifer E. Manning. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report presents a profile of the membership of the 119th Congress (2025-2026) as of August 4, 2025, or, where noted, at the beginning of the 119th Congress (January 3, 2025). Statistical information is included on selected characteristics of Members, including data on party a more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11679) on Aug. 7, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's DDG(X) program envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy's Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers and older Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyers. The Navy wants more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11674) on Aug. 7, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Light Replenishment Oiler (TAOL) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy's Light Replenishment Oiler (TAOL) program, previously called the Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program, envisages procuring a new class of 13 at-sea resupply ships for the Navy. The Navy's FY2026 budget submission suggests more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11826) on Aug. 7, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy has been procuring Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998. The Navy's envisaged successor to the Virginia-class design is the Next-Generation Attack Submarine, or SSN(X). The Navy's FY2025 bud more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11838) on Aug. 7, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Navy in FY2022 procured the first of a planned class of seven new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships. The Navy's proposed FY2026 budget requests $612.2 million for the procurement of the second ship in the class. Meaning o more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12683) on Aug. 7, 2025, by health policy analysts Kavya Sekar and Hassan Z. Sheikh: * * * Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act: An Overview In 2006, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA; P.L. 109-417) authorized a suite of programs and authorities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to focus on public health emergency preparedness and response. Congress has reauthorized PAHPA twice, in  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10221) on Aug. 4, 2025, by natural resources policy specialists Charles V. Stern and Nicole T. Carter. Here are excerpts: * * * Principles, Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Investments in Water Resources The Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines (PR&G) for federal water resource investments largely replaced the 1983 Principles and Guidelines (P&G) for federal water project evaluations on June 15, 2015, following year more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12592) on Aug. 6, 2025, by defense transportation policy analyst John Frittelli: * * * Shipbuilding to Improve Domestic Supply Chains: Opportunities and Challenges Across Administrations and during multiple Congresses, federal policymakers have increased efforts to incentivize the domestic manufacture and consumption of a wide range of goods. These efforts have served various policy goals, such as supporting energy independence, more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R44239) on Aug. 7, 2025, by reference librarian Audrey Celeste Crane-Hirsch: * * * Speechwriting Resources: Fact Sheet As elected officials and leaders, Senators and Representatives are frequently called upon to deliver speeches and other public remarks to a range of audiences. This fact sheet provides links to resources that can assist in the speechwriting process. Please note, that although the Congressional Research Service (CRS) can  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41542) on July 29, 2025, entitled "The State of Campaign Finance Policy: Recent Developments and Issues for Congress" by American national government specialist R. Sam Garrett. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Major changes have occurred in campaign finance policy since 2002, when Congress substantially amended campaign finance law via the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). BCRA stands as the most recent major amendment to campaign finan more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41542) on July 29, 2025, entitled "The State of Campaign Finance Policy - Recent Developments and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Potential Policy Considerations and Emerging Issues for Congress Recent Legislative Activity As discussed above, recent Congresses generally have not made substantial amendments to federal campaign finance law. Since the 115th Congress, Congress has considered recurring proposals related more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48608) on July 24, 2025, entitled "Department of Veterans Affairs FY2025 Appropriations." The report is written by health policy analyst Jared S. Sussman and veterans policy specialists Sidath Viranga Panangala and Madeline E. Moreno. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers numerous programs that provide benefits and services to eligible veterans and their families. These benefits include medica more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48608) on July 24, 2025, entitled "Department of Veterans Affairs FY2025 Appropriations:" (Continued from Part 1 of 3) * * * FY2024 Budget Summary On March 9, 2023, President Biden submitted his budget request for FY2024. The President's request for VA was $319.76 billion. The request included $137.76 billion in discretionary appropriations and $182.01 billion in mandatory appropriations. The mandatory appropriations included $20.27 billion more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48608) on July 24, 2025, entitled "Department of Veterans Affairs FY2025 Appropriations:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Medical Care and Medical Research Discretionary Programs Funding Background The VA's Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates the nation's largest integrated health care delivery system./53 VHA's primary mission is to provide health care services to eligible veterans./54 VHA generally provides care directly throu more PR