Highlights from the Week
1. On January 7, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives elected Kevin McCarthy of California as the 55th speaker of the House on the 15th ballot. He won 216 votes to 212 for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, with 6 members voting present. Afterwards, Speaker McCarthy swore in the 433 new members of the House. Please click here to see the biography page for Speaker McCarthy, here to see the biography page for Hakeem Jeffries, here to see a statement from President Joe Biden, here to see a statement from Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, and here to see a statement from Randy Feenstra of Iowa.
2. On January 8, 2023, President Joe Biden made his first trip to the southern border of the United States since he was inaugurated. Stopping in El Paso, Texas, on his way to Mexico for a diplomatic summit, the president went to inspect the state of the U.S.-Mexico border. This visit also comes on the heels of the Biden administration announcing new immigration policies, amongst them an expansion of the Title 42 policy, a Trump-era policy that restricts or expels immigrants seeking asylum for public health reasons. Please click here to see a statement from President Biden on his visit, and here to see a statement from Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
3. On January 9, 2023, the U.S. House passed the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. This legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 221–210, would rescind certain funds made available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It will now move on to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Click here to read a floor speech from the bill sponsor, Representative Adrian Smith of Nebraska, and here to read a floor speech from a member who opposed the bill, Representative Gwen Moore of Wisconsin.
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 officials who have been sworn in at the state level? You can see the full list of officials here:
Gubernatorial:
Statewide:
State Legislative:
State Judicial:
Officials
By the Officials Research team: Noah, Johanan, Neal, Thomas, Bibi, Craig, and Israel
Public Statements: 390 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 8 new votes were added.
Hawaii passed HB 2075 which was then signed into law by the governor. The bill seeks to adopt a conference report that requires the inspection of firearms and requires any resident and other person in Hawaii who brings a firearm of any description (i.e. unable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique) to submit such firearm(s) for physical inspection. This bill also authorizes chiefs of police to effectuate inspections and increase standards for 3D printed firearms.
Illinois passed HB 1095 which was then signed into law by the governor. The bill seeks to amend previously passed criminal justice reforms known as the SAFE-T Act. Please click here to view the full highlights and bill text to learn more about the SAFE-T Act.
Louisiana passed HB 8 which was then signed into law by the governor. The bill seeks to authorize current and former officials to carry handguns.
Federal Legislation: 3 new votes
Special Interest Groups:
This year to date, the SIGs team has entered endorsements for 103 candidates.