Email from Vote Smart Research: Last Week Today   We don’t take donations from corporations or political parties—just people like you who believe every voter deserves the truth. Even $5 helps power our research. Donate to Fuel Facts Senator Gallego Introduces Comprehensive Immigration Reform Plan: On May 12, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) unveiled a comprehensive immigration reform plan titled "Securing the Border and Fueling Economic Prosperity." The five-pillar framework aims to enhance border security, reform the asylum system, expand legal immigration pathways, provide a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants, and address root causes of migration through international cooperation. Gallego emphasized that the plan seeks to balance national security concerns with humanitarian considerations. The proposal has sparked discussions across the political spectrum regarding its potential impact on the U.S. immigration system. Source 1: PBS News, Source 2: Newsmax Shooting Outside D.C. Jewish Museum Results in Two Deaths: On May 21, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, was apprehended at the scene and is believed to have acted alone. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime, citing evidence of antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and highlighted concerns about rising antisemitism amid global tensions. Source 1: AP News, Source 2: Breitbart House Passes Sweeping Tax and Spending Bill Amid Fiscal Concerns: On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a comprehensive tax and spending package. The legislation aims to extend tax cuts from 2017 and introduce new reductions for tips and overtime pay. To offset these cuts, the bill proposes significant reductions in Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and clean energy tax credits. Analysts project that the bill could increase the federal deficit by over $3 trillion in the next decade, raising concerns among fiscal conservatives and unsettling financial markets. The bill now advances to the Senate, where further debate is anticipated. Source 1: NBC, Source 2: Fox News Subscribe to our weekly civic education email, "Civic Currents" Yes, please! No, thank you.   Congress Congress – House Passage HR 2243 – Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act Congress – Senate Confirmed PN 12-10 – Nomination of Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol Congress – House Passage HR 2255 – Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2025 State Nebraska (NE) – Senate Passage LB 89 – Defines "Male" and "Female" in State Law Targeted for K-12 or Collegiate Bathrooms, Sports Teams and Locker Rooms Colorado (CO) – Governor Signed HB 25-1027 – Amends Colorado's Vaccination Requirements for Children Attending Public Schools New Hampshire (NH) – House & Senate Passage SB 62 – Authorizes Law Enforcement Officials to Enter into Agreements with ICE     Democrat Gerry Connolly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75. A Democrat, he represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which includes most of Fairfax County and all of the city of Fairfax. In accordance with state law, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will schedule a special election to be held within 60 days. Democrat Sam Sutton won a special election Tuesday to represent New York’s 22nd state senate district, which includes southern Brooklyn. Sutton won an election to succeed Simcha Felder, who recently won a seat on the New York City Council. This election retains the Democrat’s narrow supermajority in the state senate, 41 seats to the Republican’s 22. Democrat LaMonica McIver was charged by the Department of Justice with two counts of assault after a confrontation with law enforcement outside of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark, New Jersey on May 9th. The charges allege that McIver pushed back agents who were seeking to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. McIver denies any wrongdoing and argues that she was fulfilling her oversight responsibilities as a member of Congress. On Tuesday, there was a special election in New York State. Click on the link below to view the results: New York Special State Senate General Election, District 22 (Glossary) Special Election: is an election scheduled outside the regular electoral calendar to address specific issues or fill vacancies in public offices. These elections are typically held when an incumbent official resigns, passes away, or is otherwise unable to continue in office. Special elections can also be called to vote on urgent matters, such as referendums or specific legislative proposals.   🎉 This Week’s Quiz Spotlight! 📍 Larry Koenigsberg – Oregon 📍 Susan Soroka – Arizona 📍 Roger Riekena – Colorado  Quiz here!   Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Vote Smart | 1153 24TH ST | DES MOINES, IA 50311-4308 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice