Iran Conflict and the Strait of Hormuz: Oil and Gas Market Impacts
Conflict in June 2025 involving Iran, Israel, and the United States raised the specter of interrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz (the Strait) in the Persian Gulf (Gulf). The Strait, which b...
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. §§3901-3915) authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to...
Membership of the 119th Congress: A Profile
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 informat...
Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines (PR&G) 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, 2...
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2025 Budget and Appropriations
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, and Related Programs (S...
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 ...
Freight Rail Safety Issues in the 119th Congress
The February 3, 2023, train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, OH, raised the profile of rail safety issues. Railroad labor organizations and some state and local governments have voiced...
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Background and Funding
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal food distribution program that supports food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other emergency feeding organizations serving low-incom...
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulation of Employee Exposure to Heat
Employees who work outdoors, including those in industries such as construction and agriculture, may be exposed to extreme heat conditions. Similarly, certain indoor work situations—such as bakeries, ...
Martin v. United States: Supreme Court Allows Suit Against the Federal Government for Raid on Wrong House
On June 12, 2025, in Martin v. United States, the Supreme Court addressed whether the federal government could be held liable for a raid by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents mistakenly carr...
Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Structural Features and Function
This report describes the structure, activities, legislative history, and funding history of the 10 federal regional commissions and authorities. Those commissions are the
Appalachian Regional Commis...
Advanced Lithium-Ion Energy Storage Battery Manufacturing in the United States
Due to increases in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energies, and a wide range of consumer goods, the demand for energy storage batteries has increased considerably from 2000 through 202...
Federal Civil Aviation Programs: Background and Issues for Congress
Civil aviation programs address air traffic control and aviation safety, funding for air traffic control facilities and equipment, grants for airports under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and ...
Proceedings in Federal Criminal Cases: From Initiation to Indictment
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Information as of July 30, 2025. Prepared by Cassandra J. Barnum, Legislative Attorney and Jamie Bush, Visual Information Specialist.
1 See generally Federal Bureau of Investigation, A Brief Descrip...
The Congressional Budget Process Timeline
The Constitution grants Congress power over federal spending, revenues, and borrowing. While the Constitution establishes the legislative branch as having this authority, it does not specify how, when...
HALT Fentanyl Act Permanently Controls Fentanyl-Related Substances
On July 17, 2025, President Trump signed into law the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act). Among other things, the HALT Fentanyl Act permanently placed certain fentanyl-rel...
Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources
This guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and...
Staff Pay, Selected Positions in House Member and Committee Offices, 2024
Levels of pay for congressional staff are a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data for multiple r...
Tax Provisions in P.L. 119-21, the FY2025 Reconciliation Law
P.L. 119-21 (H.R. 1 in the 119th Congress, also referred to as the FY2025 reconciliation act or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) was enacted into law on July 4, 2025. It was developed and considered as...
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts
The annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations legislation funds many U.S. nondefense international affairs activities. The State Department portion ma...