Highlights from the Week
1. On January 7, 2023, a 29-year-old Black man named Tyre Nichols was pulled out of his car at a traffic stop by Memphis Police and severely beaten. Three days later, he passed away as a result of his injuries. His death has led to more calls for police reform from federal, state, and local governments, most notably a soon-to-be reintroduced George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Click here to see the 2021 version of this bill. Additionally, click here to read a statement from President Joe Biden, here for a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris, here for a statement from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, here for a statement from the congressman representing Memphis, Steve Cohen, and here for a statement from Senator John Cornyn of Texas.
2. On January 27, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed the Strategic Production Response Act. This bill, which passed on a vote of 221 to 205, would limit the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy releases a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production. To read more about the bill and how your representatives voted on it, please click here. Additionally, click here to read a statement from Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and here to read a statement from Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa.
3. On January 31, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act. Passed by a vote of 227 to 203, this bill would repeal the rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination, which was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 5, 2021, and prohibits the issuance of any substantially similar rule. Please click here to read the bill summary and how your representatives voted. Additionally, please click here to read a statement from Representative Larry Buschon of Indiana, here for a statement from House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York, and here for a statement from Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois.
4. On January 31, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed the Pandemic is Over Act. Passed by a vote of 220 to 210, this legislation would repeal the COVID-19 public health emergency that was declared on January 31, 2020. Please click here to read the bill text and to see how your representatives voted. Additionally, click here for a statement from the bill sponsor, Representative Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, here for a statement from House Republican Conference Chair, Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, and here for a statement from Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey.
Elections
By the Elections Research team: Nick, Zachary, Courtney, Seth, and Caleb
Biographies: Want to learn more about officials who have been sworn in at the federal level? You can see the full list of officials 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, Bibi, Craig, and Israel
Public Statements: 493 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 23 new votes were added.
Mississippi’s House passed HB 1125, which seeks to prohibit puberty blockers and hormone therapy to minors. This bill prohibits the following: the use of public funds or tax deductions for gender transition procedures, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, and prohibits gender transition procedures, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, to minors under the age of 18.
Utah’s Senate passed SB 93, which seeks to prohibit name or sex change on a minor’s birth certificate. This bill prohibits name or sex change on a minor’s birth certificate, specifies that an individual over the age of 18 may request the Department of Health and Human Services for a corrected birth certificate, and authorizes the state registrar to process an application for a corrected birth certificate only for individuals over the age of 18.
Utah’s Senate also passed SB 100, which seeks to prohibit school districts from changing a student’s gender identity without parental consent. This bill requires: local education agencies (LEAs) to ensure parental right to student information and written parental consent prior to LEA changing student’s records regarding a student’s gender identity that does not conform with the student’s sex.
Special Interest Groups:
This year to date, the SIGS team has entered 538 ratings and 228 endorsements for candidates.