This Week in Research: 5/8/23 - 5/12/23

Highlights from the Week

1. On May 6, 2023, there was a mass shooting at an outlet mall in Allen, Texas. Nine people were killed, among them a three-year-old child and the perpetrator. This is now considered the second-deadliest mass shooting in 2023, and the 202nd overall this year. This has led to calls for elected officials to act, including President Joe Biden, who once again called for Congress to act on an assault rifles ban. To read more about Biden’s response to the shooting, click here. To read a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris, click here. To read a statement from Allen, Texas’ member of Congress, Keith Self, click here. To read a statement from Dallas-area congressman, Colin Allred, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, click here.

2. On May 11, 2023 Title 42, a policy that allows federal authorities to expel migrants at the U.S. borders, ended. Title 42 was invoked by President Trump during the pandemic to restrict immigration for public health reasons, and is set to expire when President Biden ends the Covid public health emergency nationally. The end of Title 42 is controversial, with some officials claiming that it will result in a significant increase in the number of migrants crossing the border, resulting in a crisis that could result in higher crime. Others argue that Title 42 created an inhumane situation at the border and its expiration needs to coincide with more staff and resources to process anyone immigrating into the country. In addition to ending Title 42, the Biden administration is also sending an additional 1,500 active duty troops to the border in addition to setting up facilities to process migrants. To read a statement from Arizona U.S. Senator, Kyrsten Sinema, click here. To read a statement from North Dakota Senator John Hoeven, click here. To read a statement from New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, click here.

Elections

By the Elections Research team: Nick, Zachary, Seth, and Caleb

Biographies:

Want to learn more about the candidates running for Virginia’s State Legislature this year? You can see the full list here:

• Virginia State Legislative Candidates

Want to learn more about the leadership in each state legislature? You can see the full leadership rosters here:

• Legislative Leadership

Want to learn more about which committees elected officials are a part of? You can see the full list of committees for each state here:

• State Legislative Committees

• Massachusetts State Legislative Committees

Want to learn more about some special elections happening in 2023? You can see the elections that have been held so far this year here:

• Wisconsin State Judicial Election

• Wisconsin State Senate Special Election

• Wisconsin Ballot Measures

Officials

By the Officials Research team: Noah, Johanan, Neal, Thomas, Israel, Quinn, and Jessica and Officials Interns: Caroline and Morgen

Public Statements: 255 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.

Key Votes:

• States: 52 new votes were added.

  • Kentucky passed SB199 which was signed into law by the governor, which seeks to prohibit tracking devices on motor vehicles without consent.

  • New York passed SB 1343 which was signed into law by the governor, which seeks to amend state rules concerning the purchasing of zero emissions vehicles.

  • Wisconsin’s House passed SB 76 which seeks to increase criminal penalties for the crime of automobile theft commonly known as carjacking.

• U.S. Congress: 3 new votes were added

  • S J Res 11 - A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards".

  • H J Res 39 - Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to “Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414”

  • HR 2811 - Limit, Save, Grow Act

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

• This year to date, the SIGs team has entered 9,464 ratings and 1,519 endorsements for candidates.