You don't want to miss this.     August Research Wrap Up   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 On July 27, 2023, the United States Senate passed their version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. This bill, which was passed by the House on July 14th and covered in this blog two weeks ago, passed the Senate by a vote of 86-11. Like every NDAA bill, this legislation appropriates funds for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, military construction, and the national security programs in the Department of Energy (DOE), among other things. To read more about the bill, and how your senators voted, click here. To read a speech from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, click here. To read a speech from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, click here. To read a speech from Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, click here. On July 27, 2023, the United States House of Representatives voted on the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024. Passed by a vote of 219-211 this bill, like the NDAA, appropriates funds for military construction, any and all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, and other similar agencies. It will now move on to the U.S. Senate for consideration. To read more about this bill, and how your representatives voted, please click here. To read a statement from the bill’s sponsor, Representative John Carter of Texas, click here. To read a statement from Representative Hillary Scholten of Michigan, click here. To read a statement from Representative Joe Neguse of Colorado, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Nicholas Langworthy of New York, click here. STATEMENTS On August 1st, 2023, Former President Donald Trump received his third indictment. A federal grand jury convened by special counsel Jack Smith, in Washington, DC, indicting him regarding the 2020 election probe. The former President has been charged with four counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the nation’s process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election, conspiracy to impede the January 6 congressional proceeding, a conspiracy against the right to vote and to have that vote counted, and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct and impede the certification of the electoral vote. To read a statement from the Former President, Donald Trump, click here. To read a statement from Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California, click here. To read a statement from Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, click here. To read a statement from Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, click here. To read a statement from Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, click here. Lastly, To read a statement from Representative Elise Stefanki of New York, click here. On August 8, 2023, the island of Maui in Hawaii was hit by a devastating set of wildfires that, over the course of the week, leveled Lahaina, a coastal area on the island. As of writing, 106 residents have been confirmed dead, with over a thousand more missing. In the aftermath of the fires, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the Mayor of Maui County, and Hawaii’s congressional delegation all called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and President Joe Biden’s administration to provide the necessary assistance to not just control the damage done, but also to assist in the rebuilding effort. In light of this, please click here to read a statement from President Biden. To read a statement from Hawaii’s senator Brian Schatz, click here. To read an interview with Hawaii’s other senator, Mazie Hirono, click here. To read a statement from the territorial delegate from Guam, Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, click here. To read a statement from former President Donald Trump, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, click here. On August 8, 2023, Vice President Kamala Harris announced action to raise wage standards of construction workers by making updates to current wage regulations. These are supplied under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. The rule advances Executive Order 14008 of President Biden and strengthens the Department of Labor (DOL), by adding a new anti-retaliation provision in the contract clause. This helps to improve worker protection, for those who raise concerns, from being neither punished or fired. To read a statement from the Vice President Kamala Harris, click here. To read a statement from Senator, and ranking member of the Senate Labor Committee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, click here. To read a statement from Representative, and Chair of the House Labor Committee, Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Donald Norcross of New Jersey on the announcement, click here.  On August 15, 2023, in the Georgia 2020 election subversion case, the former President of the United States, Donald Trump, and his 18 co-defendants were indicted on breaking a variety of laws. The 41-count indictment includes 13 charges, and accuses the former president of leading a “criminal enterprise” - as addressed in writings, attempting to overturn his electoral defeat in the state of Georgia. Specifically, this relates to alleged misconduct leading to the introduction of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO); a federal law which provides for criminal penalties and civil cause for action regarding acts performed in a current criminal organization. The former President and his co-defendants have been informed they have until August 25, 2023, to voluntarily surrender to the authorities. In connection with this, click here to read a statement from the Former President Donald Trump. In addition, read a statement from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, by clicking here. To read a statement from Representative Nikema Williams, of Fulton county in Georgia - for Congress, click here. To read a statement from Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California, click here. Lastly, to read a statement from Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, click here. ELECTIONS New Hampshire State Legislative Election Republican Presidential Candidate Debate Transcript Our newsletters and research wrap-ups are only possible because of the support of those who believe in our mission. Facts are at stake. Please consider supporting our work. 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