Congress
Congress Weighs Further Geothermal Research as Potential Grows
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) geothermal assessments remain preliminary, and Congress faces an open question about whether to advance and prioritize...
Civil Lawsuit Filing Deadlines Limits Under Scrutiny
Congress holds broad authority to set, shorten, or extend civil lawsuit filing deadlines, but that power has constitutional limits that vary depending on...
State-Passed Daylight Saving Time Laws Need Congress To Take Effect
Nineteen states have enacted permanent daylight saving time (DST) laws, but those laws cannot take effect without congressional authorization, according to...
Federal Crop Insurance Subsidies Have Tripled Since 2000
The federal crop insurance program subsidizes about $15 billion in premiums annually, roughly two-thirds of all premiums, and covers more than 572 million...
Clean Water Act Permitting Faces Pending Rules and 55 Bills
The Trump administration has proposed three separate rules that would narrow the scope of Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting, but none has been finalized,...
House Minority Motion to Recommit Rules and Limits Explained
The motion to recommit (MTR) lets House minority members propose sending a bill back to committee before final passage, but MTRs almost always fail. A rules...
National Park Service $24B Maintenance Backlog Awaits Congress
The national park maintenance backlog for the National Park Service (NPS) reached $24.237 billion for fiscal 2025, the largest deferred-maintenance total...
Federal Anthropic Restrictions Raise AI Competition Concerns
A Congressional Research Service report examines the Trump administration's efforts to restrict federal use of Anthropic's artificial intelligence...
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Caseload Still Unresolved
The Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) was designed as a time-limited program, yet it continues to draw annual appropriations and carry...
Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program History and Stakes for Congress
The structure of the offshore oil and gas leasing program gives Congress and the Trump administration direct leverage over domestic energy production...
Cost-of-Living Changes for Civil Service Annuities Clarified
The formula for cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to federal civil service annuities and how it compares to Social Security's adjustment process carries...
Aging Water Systems Face Federal Uncertainty Over Repair Mandates
Aging water systems across the country require repair or replacement, and communities often struggle to identify which federal program applies to their...
House-Passed SPEED Act Would Narrow Federal Environmental Reviews
Federal environmental reviews for energy infrastructure and other projects could become faster but less comprehensive if the Senate acts on a House-passed...
Federal Energy Bill Could Override Objections by States
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) would determine whether federal permitting...
Iran's Nuclear Weapons Production Capacity Faces Congressional Scrutiny
Iran's capacity to produce nuclear weapons remains a central concern for Congress and the Trump administration, according to a new Congressional Research...
Tribal Co-Management of Federal Lands Raises Issues for Congress
Congress faces questions about how much authority Native American tribes should have in managing federal lands, including whether federal agencies should...
Reimposed Sanctions Raise Questions Over Iran's Nuclear Program
Congress faces renewed questions about how to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons as disputes over international sanctions, limited access for...
Hurricane Isaias Raises FEMA Aid Questions for Congress
A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report examines the federal response to Hurricane Isaias, highlighting questions about FEMA staffing, disaster...
