Highlights from the Week
Today at least 12 U.S. military service members were among those killed in explosions at the Kabul airport as mass evacuations take place. Read yesterday’s remarks from President Joe Biden on the situation in Afghanistan here. Click here to read the latest reactions from your representatives.
This week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would establish new criteria for determining which states must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect, and outlines factors that courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices. Click here to see how they voted. Click here to read statements from your representatives.
This week the Food and Drug Administration formally approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. Click here to read the latest from your representatives about the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine.
We’ve asked candidates in California’s gubernatorial recall election to reveal where they stand on issues important to voters. Click here to see the candidates, then click any candidate’s “Positions” folder to read their responses. Read more about Vote Smart’s Political Courage Test here.
Elections
By Makala and the Elections Research team
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Officials
By Chelsea and the Officials Research team
Public Statements: 800 statements were added this week
Key Votes:
States:
Voting rights legislation so far this year
The governor of Colorado signed a bill into law that authorizes instant runoff voting or ranked-choice voting to be used in municipal elections.
The governor of Idaho signed a bill into law that requires elections to be funded only through appropriations from federal, state, or local government entities.
The governor of Montana signed a bill into law that requires at least one poll watcher from each political party at a ballot drop box location.
Congress: 2 bills added
H Res 601: Vote to adopt a resolution that provides for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3684) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for the fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031.