Vote Smart Weekly Digest

The Vote Smart Weekly Digest brings you timely, non-partisan insights straight to your inbox, helping you stay informed on key political facts and developments.

Research Highlights:


  • Matt Gaetz Withdraws from Attorney General Consideration: Representative Matt Gaetz has removed himself from consideration for the position of Attorney General in the incoming Trump administration. This decision comes amid ongoing investigations by the House Ethics Committee related to allegations of misconduct.


  • House Passes Bill Addressing Nonprofit Oversight: The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation granting the Treasury Department authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations identified as supporting terrorism. The bill has sparked discussions over its potential implications for civil liberties and due process.


  • Homeland Security and FBI Officials Miss Annual Hearing: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray did not attend the annual "Threats to the Homeland" Senate hearing. Their absence has led to bipartisan concern about transparency and accountability in addressing national security challenges.

Biographies and Elections:



  • Senator John Thune of South Dakota will be the next Senate Majority Leader.
  • Senator Marco Rubio of Florida was appointed to be the next Secretary of State starting at the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
  • Tiawana Brown is the District 3 Representative for the Charlotte City Council. A lifelong native of Charlotte, she has worked in telecommunications management as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies and, after serving a federal sentence, started a nonprofit that aims to prevent the incarceration of women and girls.
  • Yusuf Salaam is the District 9 Representative for the New York City Council. A poet and inspirational speaker before his election, he was also a member of the “Central Park Five,” who were convicted of crimes they did not commit in 1989.


Our team is hard at work processing the election results! Click on the office before to view the winners of each race!



Key Votes: Congressional and State


  • Congress - HR 8446 - Energy & Natural Resources: Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024
  • Congress - HR 9495 - Foreign Affairs & Taxes: Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act 
  • Congress - HR 82 - Senior Citizens & Government Budget and Spending: Social Security Fairness Act of 2023



  • Louisiana (LA) - HB 1 - Taxes: Reduces Personal Income Tax Rates to 3%
  • Iowa (IA) - SF 2442 - Taxes: Reduces Individual State Income Tax Rates to 3.8%
  • Michigan (MI) - HB 4361 - Taxes: Establishes a 1-Time Individual Tax Credit for Organ Donation


Voter Education:


Staff Shoutout


Lauren is a researcher at Vote Smart. She dives deep into the facts, ensuring everyone has access to accurate, nonpartisan information. Her dedication helps us make informed voting a reality for citizens across the nation.

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