Email from Vote Smart

Snapshot of the Acts of Civic Courage interactive visualization.

Last weekend, we asked you to share your acts of civic courage — and you did. From coast to coast, members sent in stories that remind us how simple kindness can ripple outward.

We’ve gathered a first sampling into an interactive visualization . You can explore by state, filter by category, and see the ways courage is showing up in daily life.

And this is only the start.

Share your act of kindness this week to be included in next week’s update — you can even backdate your act to September 8th.

Explore the Acts of Courage Vizualization

Add your Act of Courage

U.S. Budget Deficit Falls Year-over-Year in August

The U.S. Treasury reported the August 2025 federal budget deficit at $345 billion, down from $379 billion in August 2024, a 9% decline. The decrease was largely attributed to increased tariff revenues, though the cumulative deficit for the first 11 months of the fiscal year remains near $2 trillion, with both revenues and outlays at record levels. Analysts note that while the month-to-month decrease provides some relief, long-term fiscal pressures continue to shape the overall outlook.

Source 1: Newsmax, Source 2: Reuters

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

Congress Edges Toward a Possible Government Shutdown

Congress is nearing a funding showdown as the September 30th deadline approaches, with Republicans and Democrats advancing competing stopgap proposals. House Republicans passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through November 21st with added security funding, while Democrats propose an October extension that includes enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Health care provisions remain the central obstacle to reaching a deal.

Source 1: Breitbart, Source 2: PBS News

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 3486 – Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025

Congress – House Passed HR 5140 – To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age.

Congress – House Resolution Passed H Res 713 – Censuring Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and removing her from the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on the Budget

State

Wisconsin (WI) – House Passed AB 39 – Requires State Employees to Work In-Office

Michigan (MI) – House Passed HB 4602 – Prohibits the Secretary of State From Restricting Local Election Clerks From Using Any Lawful Source for Testing Voting Machines

California (CA) – Senate Concurrence Vote Passed SB 627 – Prohibits Local, Out-of-State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Face Coverings

For full details on each bill, visit our Vote Smart Issue Summary page.

Democrat Xp Lee won a special election Tuesday night to represent Minnesota’s House District 34B. This district, which includes the city of Brooklyn Park, was declared vacant after the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Lee, a councilmember from Brooklyn Park, will now join a State House that is tied between Republicans and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party.

Next week, there are a pair of special elections in Arizona for Congress and in Georgia for the State Senate . Click on the link below to view the candidates running:

Thanks to your incredible reviews, we are excited to share that we’ve been recognized as one of the 2025 Best Nonprofits by GreatNonprofits! This honor will be officially promoted by GreatNonprofits after October 31st. This achievement is because of you—our supporters—who took the time to share your stories and experiences with Vote Smart. Your voices made this recognition possible, and we are deeply grateful.