Email from Vote Smart Research: Last Week Today   Calling All Educators! Vote Smart is launching a new ambassador program—starting with you. As we develop classroom-ready civic education tools, we’re looking for teachers and education professionals to help shape them. Whether you want to share feedback, spread the word, or bring our resources into your lessons—we want to hear from you. Join us as a Vote Smart Education Ambassador. Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon. Vote Smart Education Ambassador Form Research Highlights United States House of Representatives in Recess until September Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is sending lawmakers home a day earlier than previously scheduled, on Wednesday July 23rd instead of the 24th, to begin their five-week summer recess until early September. This coincides with a now-cancelled Thursday vote in the House Rules Committee (whose job it is to determine which legislation comes to the House floor) over a bill that would release files relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Source 1: NBC News, Source 2: Politico   Environmental Protection Agency Rule on Limits to Greenhouse Gases This week, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to withdraw a scientific finding that greenhouse gases are hazardous to human health. Called the “endangerment finding,” this 2009 finding became the principle basis for limiting greenhouse gas emissions in vehicles, power plants, and the oil and gas industry in general. It’s largely been viewed as the primary way for the government to combat climate change. According to an EPA spokesperson, the proposal will “be published for public notice and comment” after review from other impacted federal agencies. Source 1: Reuters, Source 2: CNN   United States and Japan Reach a Deal on Trade On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with Japan. The deal will include United States importers paying a 15% reciprocal tariff on Japanese goods, which includes tariffs on automobiles and car parts, as well as Japan investing over $550 billion into the United States as well as improved market access to Japan for American goods, such as automobiles and agricultural products. Additionally, Japan will still be subject to tariffs of up to 50% on materials like steel and aluminum. Japan joins a list of key trading partners with the United States to reach agreements before the August 1st deadline for tariff enactment, joining the European Union, South Korea, and India in reaching deals with the Trump administration. Source 1: CNN, Source 2: Reuters     Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes: The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue. The vote should be clear for any person to understand. The vote has received media attention. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin.   Congress Senate Passed HR 4 – Rescissions Act House Passed HR 4016 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 House Passed HR 1919 - Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act State Delaware (DE) – Governor Matt Meyer Signed HB 182 – Prohibits Law-Enforcement Agencies from Entering into Agreements with Federal Immigration Authorities to Enforce Immigration Violations or Share Related Data North Carolina (NC) – Governor Josh Stein Vetoed HB 171 - Prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Local and State Government Agencies Nevada (NV) – Governor Joe Lombardo Vetoed AB 44 - Prohibits the Use of Deceptive Practices to Manipulate the Price of Essential Goods and Services       Democrat Nicole Mitchell will resign from her seat in the Minnesota state senate on August 4th, following pleading guilty to burglary charges. Mitchell, who since 2023 has represented district 47 in the senate, which includes the cities of Woodbury and Maplewood, pled guilty on first-degree burglary charges stemming from a 2024 arrest after breaking into her stepmother’s home. Governor Tim Walz will now schedule a special election to complete the remainder of her term. Republican Joe Casello, a former Florida state representative, passed away on Saturday from complications of a heart attack. Casello, 73, was in his fourth term serving the 90th state house district, which encompasses Boynton Beach and Delray Beach in Palm Beach County. Governor Ron DeSantis will schedule a special election to fill out the remainder of his term.   *No quiz this week - BUT, we'll be back next week!   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