Email from Vote Smart What you need to know: Utah shooting, D.C. autonomy, Epstein files.   Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at Utah Valley University Event Charlie Kirk, 31-year-old conservative media personality and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at a public event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10th, 2025. A gunshot rang out from a nearby building, striking him in the neck, and chaos followed the shooting. In a press conference on September 12th, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, together with local authorities and FBI Director Kash Patel, announced they have the suspect in custody. The individual has been identified as Tyler Robinson and has been booked into the Utah County Jail.  Source 1: Fox News, Source 2: CNN   Congressional Committee Advances Bills to Limit D.C.’s Autonomy A GOP-led House committee approved multiple bills intended to reduce the autonomy of Washington, D.C., especially in law enforcement and justice matters. Proposals include allowing the president to appoint the D.C. attorney general, lowering the age at which juveniles are tried as adults, and expanding Congressional veto power over the city’s local laws.  Source 1: Newsmax, Source 2: POLITICO    Senate Blocks Amendment Requiring Release of Epstein Case Files Senate Republicans narrowly defeated an amendment introduced by Democrats that would have required the public release of federal case files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation. The vote was tight and resulted in 51-49 with supporters arguing for increased transparency and opponents alleging that such a vote was out of place in the defense policy legislation under consideration. Source 1: Reuters, Source 2: Breitbart      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.   Click Here for the Key Votes Visualization     Congress Congress – House Passed HR 4216 – Made-in-America Defense Act Congress – House Passed HR 747 – Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2026 Congress – House Passed HR 4553 – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 State Michigan (MI) – House Passed HB 4024 – Require Public Education Institutions in Michigan to Ensure Student Privacy from Students of the Opposite Sex in Multiple-Occupancy Restrooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Facilities California (CA) – Governor Gavin Newsom Signed AB 379 – Increases Penalties for Prostitution Violations New Mexico (NM) – Governor Michelle Grisham Signed SB 175 – Expands the State Free Childcare Program to All Families   For full details on each bill, visit our Vote Smart Issue Summary page.     Democrat James Walkinshaw won a special election this week to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. This seat, which covers Fairfax City and parts of Fairfax County, became vacant in May when former Democratic Representative Gerry Connolly passed away from esophageal cancer. Walkinshaw, who is a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, will soon take his seat in Congress and serve out the remainder of Connolly’s term, which ends in January, 2027. Next week, there is a special election for a state house seat in Minnesota. Click on the link below to view the candidates running:  Minnesota Special State House General Election, District 34B   Thank you for the wonderful reviews last week! As we head into next year’s midterms, your voice on GreatNonprofits helps us stay Top-Rated and reach more people when it matters most.     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