On March 29, 2023, the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate both passed a joint resolution relating to a national emergency declared by the president on March 13, 2020. This bill, which passed by a vote of 228 to 197 in the House and 68-23 in the Senate, repeals the COVID-19 national emergency declared by President Donald Trump on March 13, 2020. To read more about the bill and how your representatives and senators voted, click here. To read a statement by the bill sponsor, Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona, click here. To read a statement by Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, click here. To read a statement by Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, click here. To read a statement from Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, click here.
On March 30, 2023, the United States House of Representatives voted on the Lower Energy Costs Act. Passed on a vote of 225 to 204, this bill would appropriate funding for exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, such as oil and gas. It will now proceed to the United States Senate for consideration. To read more about the bill and how your representatives voted, click here. To read a statement from the bill sponsor, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, click here. To read a statement from Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona, who is the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, click here.
On March 30, 2023, former President Donald Trump was indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan for his role in a scandal surrounding hush money payments to a pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump, who is currently a candidate for re-election to the presidency in 2024, flew from his home in Florida to New York to be arraigned on Tuesday, April 4th. To read a statement from Trump about his indictment, click here. To read a statement from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, click here. To read a statement from House Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York, click here.
Elections
By the Elections Research team: Nick, Zachary, Seth, and Caleb, and Elections Interns Reid, Hunter, and George
Biographies:
Want to learn more about the candidates running for Mississippi’s State Legislature this year? 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:
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:
Officials
By the Officials Research team: Noah, Johanan, Neal, Thomas, and Israel and Officials Interns: Brittany, Caroline, and Morgen
Public Statements: 183 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 56 new votes were added.
Arizona’s Senate passed SB 1001, which Prohibits Teacher Use of a Student’s Preferred Pronouns Unless Given Parental Consent.
Iowa’s Senate passed SF 496, which Establishes New Educational Standards and “Parental Rights.”
Oklahoma’s House passed HB 2546, which Prohibits Instruction on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Public School.
U.S. Congress: 4 vote were added.
H J Res 7: “Relating to a national emergency declared by the president on March 13, 2020”
S 316: “A bill to repeal the authorizations for use of military force against Iraq”
Special Interest Groups
This year to date, the SIGS team has entered 8,740 ratings and 1,453 endorsements for candidates.