Highlights from the Week
On October 26th, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024. This bill, which was passed by a vote of 210-199, would appropriate federal funding for fiscal year 2024 for the United States Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy, and other agencies. This is one of the many appropriations bills that need to pass through both chambers of Congress, and will now move onto the Senate for consideration. To read more about the bill, and how your representatives voted, click here. To read a statement from Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee, click here. To read a statement from Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina, click here. To read a statement from Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, click here. To read a statement from Representative Betty McCollum of Minnesota, click here. To read a statement from Representative Kathy Castor of Florida, click here.
Following up on last week’s research highlight on the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, on October 28th and 30th, the union reached a tentative agreement with Stellantis and General Motors (GM), respectively. This follows the tentative deal on October 25th between the UAW and the Ford Motor Company. These deals are similar to the Ford deal, and feature, with the GM and Stellantis deals featuring a 25% wage increase over four and a half years, among other benefits such as Cost-of-Living-Allowances and improvements on retirement benefits. To read a statement from President Joe Biden on the Stellantis deal, click here. To read President Biden’s statement on the GM deal, click here. To read a statement from Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, click here. To read a statement from Representative Bill Foster of Illinois, click here. To read a statement from Representative Dan Kildee of Michigan, click here. To read a statement from Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Darin LaHood of Illinois, click here.
On October 30th, 2023, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order regarding Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Executive Order delivers eight new actions. These actions include: New standards for AI safety and security, protecting Americans privacy, advancing equity and civil rights, standing up for consumers, patients and Students, supporting workers, promoting innovation and competition, advancing American leadership abroad, and ensuring responsible and effective government use of AI. More action will be required, and the Administration will continue to work with Congress to pursue bipartisan legislation to help America lead the way in responsible innovation, The White House said. Firstly, to read a statement from President Joe Biden click here. To read a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris, click here. To read a statement from Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, click here. To read a statement from Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, click here. To read a statement from Representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers of Washington, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, click here.
Elections
By the Elections Research team: Nick, Zachary, Caleb, Seth, Jessica, and Max and Elections Research interns Ionut, Spencer, Molly, Rachel, Emma, Kaia, and Brenda
Biographies & Elections:
Want to learn more about the results of elections happening around the country? You can see the list of elections that happened this week here:
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:
Want to learn more about the candidates who are currently being tested and their responses to the Political Courage Test ahead of the general election? You can see the full list of candidates, their responses, and response rates running in various states by office below:
Officials
By the Officials Research team: Sam, Johanan, Neal, Thomas, Quinn and Interns: Justin, Skylar, Jami, Abby, Claire, Heather, Kaitlin, Sophia, Tristen, Arola and Nischay.
Public Statements: 221 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 25 new votes were added.
Florida Governor signed HB 1627 - Authorizes Pretrial Detention for DUI Manslaughter, Fentanyl Trafficking and Extortion
Nevada Governor signed SB 163 - Requires Certain Health Insurance Include Coverage for the Treatment of Gender Dysphoria
Nevada Governor signed SB 131 - Prohibits Arrest of Any Individual Charged in Another State for Receiving Reproductive Healthcare
Nevada Governor signed SB 153 - Requires the Nevada Department of Corrections Regulate the Security, Supervision, Medical, and Mental Health Treatment of Transgender Inmates
Maine Senate passed LD 1389 - Establishes a Mobile Learning Lab
U.S. Congress: 2 new votes were added.
House Resolution (collective opinion of the US House of Representative on a matter, not binding in law) passed H Res 771 - Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hama and other terrorists
House passed HR 4394 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
This year to date, the SIGs team has entered 38,047 ratings and 11,581 endorsements for candidates.