Highlights from the Week
1. On November 17, House Speaker and Democratic Caucus Leader Nancy Pelosi of California announced that she would step down from leadership after two decades in the position. Additionally, the second and third-ranked Democrats, Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, also announced their retirement from leadership. This will pave the way for a new generation of officials to step up and lead the Democrats moving forward. Click here to read President Joe Biden’s statement, here for a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris, and here for a statement from Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who has been chosen as Pelosi’s successor. Click here to read Pelosi’s statement on the new Democratic leadership.
2. On November 29, the Senate ended debate by invoking cloture and passed the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill provides statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages by replacing and repealing provisions that define, for the purposes of federal law, marriages as between a man and a woman and spouse as an individual of the opposite sex with provisions that recognize any marriage that is valid under state law. Click here to read President Joe Biden's statement and here for a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris. Click here to see statements mentioning the Respect for Marriage Act by members of Congress.
3. Employees of freight rail companies are threatening to go on strike as early as December 9 if their demands—which include paid sick leave—are not met. For months, the union representatives for railroad employees have been in negotiation with railroad companies, with guidance from President Joe Biden’s administration. In the past week, negotiations have broken down, and the president has now called on Congress to act. On November 30, the House of Representatives voted on H J Res 100—a resolution that respects the earlier deal the unions made with the railroad companies. Click here to read Biden’s statement on the railroad shutdown. You can also click here to read more about the resolution as well as the vote breakdown.
Elections
By the Elections Research team (Noah, Zachary, Courtney, Seth, Nick & Caleb) and Elections Research interns (Tayelon, Juvencio, Maggie, Francesca, and Joelle)
Elections:
Want to learn more about the results of the 2022 midterm elections? You can see the full list of results for these offices below:
Biographies: Want to learn more about the candidates running in Georgia’s congressional runoff election? You can see the full list of candidates running here. If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their "Bio” tab to learn more.
Officials
By the Officials Research team: Thomas, Bibi, Johanan, Neal, Craig, and Israel
Public Statements: 845 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 23 new votes were added.
Colorado passed HB 22-1122, which was then signed into law by the governor, prohibiting certain pharmacy benefit manager practices. This bill seeks to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers/carriers from imposing fees, charge backs, and modifiers to indicate that the drug is a 340B drug, unless payment by Medicaid is required. This bill also defines 340B drugs and/or programs as authorized and established treatment options.
New Jersey passed A 2008, which was then signed into law by the governor, requiring insurance coverage for mental health conditions and substance abuse. This bill seeks to establish that every hospital, health service corporation, health insurer (group and individual), and the State Health Benefits commission provide hospital or medical expense benefits that shall provide coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders under the same terms and conditions as provided for any other sickness.
South Carolina passed S 108 and then was signed into law by the governor, amending various election laws including establishing early voting for primary and general elections. This bill seeks to require: photo ID from absentee ballot returnees, standardized election/voter registration process, prohibition of acceptance of private gifts by State Election Commission or county boards, and expand prohibition on distribution of campaign literature outside of polling places from 200 to 500 feet.
Federal Legislation: 1 new vote
Special Interest Groups:
There were 2 rating scorecards released to the live web this week, which can be viewed here (organized by group). This year to date, the SIGs team has rated 118,656 candidates and entered endorsements for 46,087 candidates.