The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Background and FY2026 Appropriations
Background
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in the Department of the Interior (DOI), provides scientific information to support the management of water, energy, mineral, ecosystem, and land resource...
Presidential Proclamation of June 4, 2025, Restricting the Entry of Certain Foreign Nationals
On June 4, 2025 President Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of certain foreign nationals (aliens) from 19 countries, effective June 9. Citing an intent to protect U.S. citizens “from al...
Key Issues in Stablecoin Legislation in the 119th Congress
A stablecoin is a digital asset that aims to maintain a stable price (e.g., a 1:1 peg) with a reference asset, such as the U.S. dollar. In the 119th Congress, legislation to regulate payment stablecoi...
USDA Rural Development Program Appropriations: FY2026 President’s Budget Request
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development administers grant, loan, loan guarantee, and technical assistance programs that support rural communities. Many of these programs were authorize...
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1): Section 10102, Agricultural Conservation
On May 22, 2025, the House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), providing for budget reconciliation pursuant to the FY2025 House budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 14). Title 1 (House Committee ...
FERS, MSPB, and FEHB Provisions in H.R. 1, as Passed by the House
On May 22, 2025, the House passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The version of this budget reconciliation measure agreed to by the House includes four provisions that would amend aspects of ...
Global Human Rights: International Religious Freedom Policy
For decades, U.S. policymakers have sought to promote religious freedom abroad, reflective both of a general interest in promoting human rights through U.S. foreign policy, as well as the emphasis on ...
Efforts to Return Higher-Fat Milks to the School Lunch Program
In the 118th Congress, the House passed H.R. 1147, which, if enacted, would have allowed whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk in federally funded school lunches and exempted milk from federal saturated fat...
The VA Fiduciary Program: An Overview
Introduction
The purpose of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Fiduciary Program is “to protect Veterans and other beneficiaries who, due to injury, disease, or due to age, are unable to manage t...
SBA Disaster Loans Program Account: Overview and Policy Options
The Small Business Administration (SBA) operates the disaster loan program to provide low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations to assist them wit...
Proposed Spectrum Provisions in the House Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 1)
On May 22, 2025, the House voted to approve H.R. 1, a reconciliation bill that compiled provisions from 11 House committees, pursuant to directives in H.Con.Res. 14. The Committee on Energy and Commer...
Social Security: Representative Payees and Power of Attorney
Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (i.e., Social Security) beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients (referred to herein as “beneficiaries” for both programs) may requi...
Energy and Water Development Appropriations for Nuclear Weapons Activities: In Brief
Responsibility for U.S. nuclear weapons resides with both the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DOD develops, deploys, and operates the missiles, aircraft, and ...