CRS Reports
Summaries of Congressional Research Service reports providing nonpartisan analysis of major federal policy issues.
40 reports available covering 141 topics
Immigration Policy: Overview of Current Law and Legislative Proposals
Andorra Bruno
September 15, 2025
This report provides a comprehensive overview of current U.S. immigration law, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and its amendments. It addresses legal immigration categories, visa classifications, and the employment-based and family-based immigration systems that form the backbone of lawful entry to the United States.
Read reportThe Affordable Care Act: A Brief Overview of Key Provisions and Current Status
Janet Kinzer
July 22, 2025
This report summarizes the major provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the individual and employer mandates, health insurance marketplace exchanges, Medicaid expansion, and essential health benefits requirements. It traces the law's implementation since 2010 and evaluates its impact on insurance coverage rates.
Read reportEnvironmental Regulation: An Overview of Major Federal Statutes
David M. Bearden
August 10, 2025
This report provides a summary of the major federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund). Each statute's key provisions, regulatory framework, and enforcement mechanisms are described.
Read reportNational Security: Intelligence Community Structure and Oversight
Anne Daugherty Miles
June 30, 2025
This report describes the structure and organization of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), which comprises 18 elements including the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency. It examines the role of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in coordinating intelligence activities.
Read reportElection Administration: Federal Role in Campaign Finance and Voting
R. Sam Garrett
October 5, 2025
This report examines the federal role in election administration, including the Federal Election Commission's oversight of campaign finance, the Election Assistance Commission's role in supporting state and local election officials, and the Department of Justice's enforcement of voting rights laws.
Read reportGun Control: Federal Firearms Laws and Recent Legislative Proposals
William J. Krouse
May 18, 2025
This report provides an overview of major federal firearms laws, including the National Firearms Act of 1934, the Gun Control Act of 1968, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022. It describes the regulatory framework administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Read reportFederal Tax Reform: Analysis of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and Subsequent Proposals
Molly F. Sherlock
April 12, 2025
This report analyzes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), which made significant changes to individual and corporate income tax rates, deductions, and credits. It examines the scheduled expiration of individual tax provisions and their potential fiscal impact.
Read reportU.S. Trade Policy: Tariffs, Trade Agreements, and Congressional Authority
Shayerah Ilias Akhtar
March 28, 2025
This report examines the constitutional and statutory framework for U.S. trade policy, including Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause and delegations of tariff authority to the President. It reviews major trade statutes including Section 201, Section 232, and Section 301 of the Trade Act.
Read reportArtificial Intelligence: Federal Policy and Regulatory Approaches
Laurie A. Harris
November 20, 2025
This report examines the current federal policy landscape for artificial intelligence (AI), including Executive Order 14110 on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI, the National AI Initiative Act, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. It describes the roles of various federal agencies in AI governance.
Read reportCriminal Justice Reform: Federal Sentencing, Reentry, and Policing
Nathan James
August 25, 2025
This report provides an overview of federal criminal justice reform efforts, focusing on the First Step Act of 2018 and its implementation. It examines changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, good time credit calculations, and the expansion of reentry programming in the federal prison system.
Read reportFederal Education Policy: The Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Higher Education
Jeffrey J. Kuenzi
September 5, 2025
This report examines the federal role in K-12 and higher education, focusing on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Higher Education Act (HEA), and federal student financial aid programs. It describes Title I funding formulas, accountability requirements, and school improvement provisions.
Read reportVeterans Affairs: Health Care, Benefits, and Services
Sidath Viranga Panangala
July 15, 2025
This report provides an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its three major administrations: the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and National Cemetery Administration. It describes VA healthcare enrollment, eligibility criteria, and community care programs.
Read reportEnergy Policy: Federal Programs, Incentives, and Regulatory Framework
Melissa N. Diaz
June 10, 2025
This report examines federal energy policy, including programs and incentives for renewable energy, fossil fuel production, nuclear power, and energy efficiency. It describes the role of the Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Read reportFederal Labor Policy: Minimum Wage, Workplace Safety, and Collective Bargaining
David H. Bradley
May 20, 2025
This report examines major federal labor laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It describes current minimum wage and overtime requirements, workplace safety standards, and collective bargaining protections.
Read reportFederal Housing Policy: Affordable Housing, Fair Housing, and Mortgage Markets
Katie Jones
April 30, 2025
This report provides an overview of federal housing policy, including programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It examines affordable housing programs including Section 8 housing choice vouchers and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
Read reportSocial Security: Program Overview, Financing, and Reform Proposals
Dawn Nuschler
October 15, 2025
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Social Security program, including Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI). It describes benefit calculation methods, eligibility requirements, and the payroll tax financing structure.
Read reportMedicare and Medicaid: Program Overview and Current Policy Issues
Patricia A. Davis
August 1, 2025
This report examines the Medicare and Medicaid programs, describing their benefit structures, eligibility requirements, and financing mechanisms. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (supplementary medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage) are each discussed.
Read reportInfrastructure Investment: Federal Programs and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
William J. Mallett
September 25, 2025
This report examines federal infrastructure programs and the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It describes funding allocations for highways, bridges, transit, rail, broadband, water systems, and clean energy infrastructure.
Read reportCybersecurity: Federal Policy, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Incident Response
Chris Jaikaran
November 5, 2025
This report examines federal cybersecurity policy, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) role in protecting critical infrastructure, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), and cyber incident reporting requirements under the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act.
Read reportCannabis Policy: Federal-State Conflicts and Reform Proposals
Lisa N. Sacco
July 8, 2025
This report examines the conflict between federal and state cannabis laws, as marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act while an increasing number of states have legalized its medical or recreational use. It describes the evolution of federal enforcement policy, from the Cole Memorandum to current DOJ guidance.
Read reportU.S. Foreign Policy: Alliances, Diplomacy, and Sanctions
Michael A. Weber
October 30, 2025
This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign policy instruments, including diplomatic engagement, economic sanctions, foreign assistance, and alliance structures. It describes the roles of the State Department, USAID, and the National Security Council in formulating and implementing foreign policy.
Read reportDefense Spending: The National Defense Authorization Act and Military Budget
Pat Towell
June 22, 2025
This report examines the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) process and the defense budget, including the Department of Defense base budget, overseas contingency operations funding, and military construction appropriations. It describes the roles of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees.
Read reportClimate Change: Federal Mitigation and Adaptation Policies
Jane A. Leggett
May 10, 2025
This report examines federal policies addressing climate change, including greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, clean energy incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, and adaptation measures for climate-related risks. It describes the EPA's authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Read reportJudicial Nominations: The Federal Appointment Process and Senate Confirmation
Barry J. McMillion
April 18, 2025
This report describes the process for nominating and confirming federal judges, including Supreme Court Justices, circuit court judges, and district court judges. It examines the constitutional framework, historical practices, and the evolving role of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Read reportRedistricting and Gerrymandering: Legal Framework and Recent Developments
Sarah J. Eckman
March 15, 2025
This report examines the legal framework governing congressional and state legislative redistricting, including constitutional requirements for equal population, the Voting Rights Act's protections against racial gerrymandering, and Supreme Court decisions addressing both racial and partisan gerrymandering.
Read reportPolice Reform: Use of Force, Qualified Immunity, and Federal Standards
Nathan James
August 15, 2025
This report examines federal legislative proposals for police reform, including provisions addressing use-of-force standards, qualified immunity, no-knock warrants, chokeholds, and mandatory reporting of police misconduct. It discusses the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and alternative proposals.
Read reportVoting Rights: Federal Protections and Recent Legal Challenges
Kenneth R. Thomas
September 10, 2025
This report examines federal voting rights protections under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and constitutional amendments. It discusses the impact of Shelby County v. Holder (2013) on Section 5 preclearance and subsequent Section 2 litigation.
Read reportStudent Loan Programs: Federal Policy, Forgiveness, and Repayment Options
Alexandra Hegji
July 30, 2025
This report examines federal student loan programs, including Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, PLUS Loans, and consolidation loans. It describes income-driven repayment plans, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and the SAVE plan.
Read reportFederal Minimum Wage: History, Current Rate, and Economic Effects
David H. Bradley
June 5, 2025
This report examines the federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, including its history from the initial rate of $0.25 per hour in 1938 to the current rate of $7.25 per hour, which has been in effect since 2009. It compares the federal minimum wage to state and local minimum wage laws.
Read reportTechnology Regulation: Section 230, Online Privacy, and Platform Accountability
Eric N. Holmes
November 10, 2025
This report examines federal regulation of technology companies, focusing on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and its role in shielding online platforms from liability for user-generated content. It discusses the scope of Section 230 immunity, judicial interpretations, and proposals to reform or repeal the statute.
Read reportAsylum and Refugee Policy: Legal Framework and Processing Challenges
Andorra Bruno
October 20, 2025
This report examines the legal framework for asylum and refugee protection in the United States, including the Refugee Act of 1980, the asylum provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and international obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
Read reportFederal Data Privacy: Current Law, Gaps, and Legislative Proposals
Chris Jaikaran
September 30, 2025
This report examines the current patchwork of federal data privacy laws, including sector-specific statutes such as HIPAA for health information, COPPA for children's online data, and GLBA for financial data. It identifies gaps in the existing framework and discusses the absence of a comprehensive federal privacy law.
Read reportAbortion Law After Dobbs: Federal and State Legal Landscape
Jon O. Shimabukuro
August 20, 2025
This report examines the legal landscape for abortion regulation following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), which overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion regulation to the states. It provides an overview of state abortion laws enacted or triggered after Dobbs.
Read reportAntitrust and Competition Policy: Big Tech and Merger Enforcement
Jay B. Sykes
May 25, 2025
This report examines federal antitrust law and its application to large technology companies and merger activity. It describes the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, and Federal Trade Commission Act, as well as the enforcement roles of the DOJ Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission.
Read reportHomelessness: Federal Programs and Policy Responses
Libby Perl
April 5, 2025
This report examines federal programs addressing homelessness, including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act programs administered by HUD, the Department of Education's programs for homeless youth, and the Department of Health and Human Services' programs for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Read reportClean Energy Tax Credits: Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act
Molly F. Sherlock
December 1, 2025
This report examines the clean energy tax provisions enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, which represent the largest federal investment in climate and clean energy in U.S. history. It describes production tax credits, investment tax credits, and consumer credits for electric vehicles, residential clean energy, and energy efficiency improvements.
Read reportOpioid Crisis: Federal Response and Substance Abuse Policy
Johnathan H. Duff
June 15, 2025
This report examines the federal response to the opioid crisis, including the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, the HHS overdose prevention strategy, and DEA enforcement actions against illicit fentanyl trafficking. It describes the scope of the crisis, including overdose death statistics and the evolution from prescription opioids to synthetic opioids.
Read reportSpace Policy: NASA Programs, Commercial Space, and National Security
Daniel Morgan
July 25, 2025
This report examines U.S. space policy, including NASA's Artemis program for lunar exploration, the International Space Station transition, and commercial crew and cargo programs. It describes the roles of NASA, the Space Force, the Office of Space Commerce, and the FAA in space activities.
Read reportTribal Sovereignty and Federal Indian Law: An Overview
M. Maureen Murphy
May 30, 2025
This report provides an overview of federal Indian law, including the legal status of tribal sovereignty, the trust relationship between the federal government and tribal nations, and the plenary power doctrine. It describes major federal statutes including the Indian Reorganization Act, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and the Indian Civil Rights Act.
Read reportFEMA and Disaster Assistance: Federal Emergency Management Framework
Elizabeth M. Webster
August 5, 2025
This report examines the federal emergency management framework, including the Stafford Act, the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Disaster Recovery Framework. It describes the presidential disaster declaration process, individual assistance programs, and public assistance for state and local governments.
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