The Vote Smart Research Team worked hard this month alongside their new
members to bring you (the best) Facts For All! Check out some of the key
highlights below!

VOTES

Reinstate Tariff on Chinese Solar Panels

On April 28, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed a
Joint Resolution by a vote of 221-202, that would tax solar panels that are
completed in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, or Vietnam using parts that were
manufactured in China. President Biden vetoed the repeal and on May 24, the
House failed to override the veto in a vote of 219-213. To read more about
this resolution and how your representatives voted, please click [1]here.

Border Act of 2023

On May 11, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed the
Secure the Border Act of 2023. Passed by a vote of 219-213, this bill would
address various issues regarding the federal immigration system, border
security, and impose limits on asylum eligibility. To read more about the
bill and how your representatives voted, click [2]here.

POLICE Act of 2023

On May 17, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed the
“Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act
of 2023,” otherwise known as the POLICE Act. Passed by a margin of 255-175,
this bill would establish assaulting a law enforcement officer as a
deportable offense. This is part of a series of bills relating to law
enforcement and police reform, as you can see below. To read more about the
bill, as well as how your representatives voted, please click [3]here.

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

On May 31, 2023, the House passed a bipartisan bill to increase the debt
ceiling, raising the amount of money the government can borrow through 2025
in a 314-117 vote. On June 2, the Senate passed the bill on a 63-36 vote.
To read more about the bill and how your representatives voted, click
[4]here.

Statements

Allen, Texas Shooting

On May 6, 2023, there was a mass shooting at an outlet mall in Allen,
Texas. Nine people were killed, among them a three-year-old child and the
perpetrator. This is now considered the second-deadliest mass shooting in
2023, and the 202nd overall this year. This has led to calls for elected
officials to act, including President Joe Biden, who once again called for
Congress to act on an assault rifles ban. To read more about Biden’s
response to the shooting, click [5]here. To read a statement from Vice
President Kamala Harris, click [6]here. To read a statement from Allen,
Texas’ member of Congress, Keith Self, click [7]here.

End of Title 42

On May 11, 2023, Title 42, a policy that allows federal authorities to
expel migrants at the U.S. borders, ended. Title 42 was invoked by
President Trump during the pandemic to restrict immigration for public
health reasons and is set to expire when President Biden ends the Covid
public health emergency nationally. To read a statement from Arizona U.S.
Senator, Kyrsten Sinema, click [8]here. To read a statement from North
Dakota Senator John Hoeven, click [9]here. To read a statement from New
Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, click [10]here. Lastly, to read a statement
from El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, click [11]here.

No Defunding for Law Enforcement

On May 18, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed a
concurrent resolution that expresses support for local law enforcement and
condemns efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies. To
read a statement from Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington State,
click [12]here. To read a statement from Representative Andy Biggs of
Arizona, click [13]here. To read a statement from Representative Betty
McCollum of Minnesota, click [14]here. Lastly, to read a statement from
Anthony D’Esposito of New York, click [15]here.

Waivers and Modifications of Student Loans

On May 24, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill providing
for congressional disapproval of a rule submitted by the Department of
Education relating to “Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student
Loans.” Passed by a vote of 218-203, this bill adopts a joint resolution
that nullifies the rule issued by the Department of Education on October
12, 2022, that suspends federal student loan payments and discharges debt.
It moves to the Senate for consideration. To read more about the bill and
how your representatives voted, click [16]here. To read a statement from
Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, click [17]here. To read a
statement from Representative Alma Adams of North Carolina, click [18]here.
To read a statement from Nathaniel Moran of Texas, click [19]here. To read
a statement from Representative Rick Allen of Georgia, click [20]here.

ELECTIONS

May Legislative and Judicial Elections:

[21]Kentucky Statewide Elections

[22]Kentucky Gubernatorial Election

[23]Pennsylvania Supreme Court Elections

May Special Elections:

[24]Florida Special House Election

[25]Kentucky Special District 28 Election

[26]New Hampshire House Special Election

[27]Pennsylvania Special Judicial Election

Want to learn more about the leadership in each state legislature? You can
see the full leadership rosters here: [28]All States

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CONTACT US

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[35]Vote Smart is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that provides
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legislation. By providing information in an easy and accessible manner,
Vote Smart believes that citizens can better defend themselves from the
questionable rhetoric and misrepresentation that characterizes present-day
political campaigns.

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