Highlights from the Week
On April 12th, 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed HR 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, passing by a 273-147 vote. The bill reauthorizes Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for 5 years and creates changes to FISA regarding restrictions on surveillance under Section 702. The reauthorization prohibits the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel from making U.S. person queries without certain supervisor or attorney approval. Also, requires applicants for a surveillance order be supported by sworn statements and increases criminal penalties in relation to FISA. Firstly, to read more about the bill and to see how your representatives voted, click here. To read a statement from Representative and Bill Sponsor Laurel Lee of Florida, click here. To read a statement from Representative Scott Fitzgerald of Pennsylvania, click here. To read a statement from Representative Chip Roy of Texas, click here. To read a statement from Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, click here. To read a statement from Representative Hank Johnson of Georgia, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Jerry Nadler of New York, click here.
On April 13th, 2024, Iran committed a drone and missile attack on Israel in the late hours of the day, lasting around 5 hours. More than 300 projectile weapons were used in their attack and approximately 350 rockets were fired. But, Israel’s aerial defense and accompanying allies intercepted the projectiles, according to the Israeli military. The Iranian media stated the attack was in retaliation for an Israeli strike this month on the consular building in Damascus, killing senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Firstly, to read a statement from President Joe Biden, click here. To read a statement from Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, click here. To read a statement from the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson of Louisiana, click here. To read a statement from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, click here. To read a statement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, click here. To read a statement from House Republicans Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Andy Kim of New Jersey, click here.
On April 17th, 2024, the United States Senate received articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. These articles, which passed the House in February by narrow margins on charges of high crimes and misdemeanors for refusal to comply with immigration law and breaching the trust of Congress by saying that the U.S. border is secure. In advance of a trial in the U.S. Senate, the chamber voted to dismiss both articles on votes of 51-48 and 51-49, respectively. To read a statement by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, click here. To read a statement by Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, click here. To read a statement from Senator Alex Padilla of California, click here. To read a statement from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, click here. To read a statement from Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, click here.
Elections
By the Elections Research team: Nick, Monica, Caleb, Seth, Max, and interns Isabella, Guiselle, Elsie, Jun, Stephen, Deonte, Sierra, Braden, Ashlyn, and Maddie
Biographies & Elections:
Here are the results from the presidential primary elections we had this week. Click on the state below to view the results for the presidential contests from Tuesday:
Click on the state below to view the results for down-ballot (non-presidential) races:
Want to learn more about candidates running for elected office in 2024? Click on the states below to see the full list:
Want to learn more about elected officials in your state? You can see the full list here:
Want to learn more about the leadership in each state legislature? You can see the full leadership rosters here:
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:
Officials
By the Officials Research team: Sam, Johanan, Neal, Thomas, and Quinn. Interns: Deyab, Tina, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Dev, Ethan, and Sabrina.
Public Statements: 327 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 130 new votes were added.
Oregon House and Senate passed SB 1532 - Establishes a Plan for the Education of Students who are Immigrants
Georgia Senate Concurrence passed SB 429 - Establishes a Commission to Study Allocating Payments for Wrongful Conviction and Imprisonment
Illinois Senate passed SB 3098 - Prohibits Online Individual Sales of Vape Products
Louisiana Senate passed SB 388 - Establishes Illegal Immigration as a State Crime
Colorado House Concurrence vote passed HB 24-1098 - Establishes a “For Cause” Eviction Process
U.S. Congress: 6 new votes were added.
Congress passed H J Res 98 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to “Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status”
Congress passed HR 3250 - National Museum of Play Recognition Act
Congress passed HR 2560 - Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023
Congress passed S 382 - Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act of 2023
Congress passed HR 7888 - Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
This year to date, the SIGs team has entered 54,559 ratings and 9,710 endorsements for candidates.