Email from Vote Smart From facts to acts.     Vote Smart is grassroots: no ads, no agendas, just facts. Your support helps keep it that way. Donate   States Sue Federal Government Over Cuts for SNAP Benefits  Source 1: Fox News, Source 2: NBC News   U.S. to Share Nuclear-Powered Submarine Technology with South Korea  Source 1: Newsmax, Source 2: PBS News   First in-Person Meeting Between U.S. and Chinese Leaders Amid Trade and Tech Tensions  Source 1: Reuters, Source 2: Breitbart   Share your act of courage this week to be included in next week’s update — you can even backdate your act to September 8th. Add your Act of Courage   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.     Navigate Key Votes total by region visualizations below! Northeast Midwest South West   Congress Congress – Senate Motion Rejected HR 5371 – Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 Congress – Senate Motion Agreed S J Res 80 – A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision". Congress – Senate Joint Resolution Passed S J Res 77 – A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada State Pennsylvania (PA) – Senate Passed SB 6 - Requires State Agencies to Establish Public Tracking Systems for State Permit Michigan (MI) – House Passed HB 4362 - Establishes a Medical Alert System Plan for Senior Citizens and Vulnerable Adults Ohio (OH) - House Passed HB 186 - Establishes a Cap on Property Tax Revenue Growth for Homeowners For full details on each bill, visit our Vote Smart Issue Summary page.     Republican Cindy Myrex won her race Tuesday for the special general election in Alabama House District 12, continuing the GOP’s strong hold on the seat. With all precincts reporting, unofficial results show Myrex captured 1,944 votes (87.06%), while Democrat Matt Glover received 287 votes (12.85%). The election was held to fill the vacancy left by former Representative Corey Harbison, who resigned in early 2025. Democrat Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, along with 24 other states and Washington D.C., is suing the Trump Administration over halting SNAP benefits amidst the ongoing government shutdown. The states, which include California, New York, and Pennsylvania, are asking a federal judge in Massachusetts to order the Department of Agriculture to provide benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November, including by tapping into a contingency fund to ensure the assistance continues to flow. They argue that the administration's decision to cut off food stamp payments, which are provided to roughly 42 million people nationwide, is unlawful and threatens to deprive millions of Americans of essential food benefits that help protect against food insecurity and hunger. Next week, there are regular and special elections across the country. Click on the link below to view the candidates running: 2025 Ballot Measures: California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington Georgia Public Service Commission Special General Elections Georgia State Legislative Special Election, House District 106 Minnesota State Legislative Special General Election, Senate Districts 29, 47 Mississippi State Legislative Special General Elections New Jersey Gubernatorial Election New Jersey State House General Elections New Hampshire State Legislative Special General Election, House District Coos 5 New York State Legislative Special General Election, Assembly District 115 Pennsylvania State Judicial Retention Elections South Carolina State Legislative Special Primary Election, House District 98 South Carolina State Legislative Special Primary Runoff Election, House Districts 21, 88 Texas Congressional Special Election, District 18 Texas State Legislative Special General Election, Senate District 9 Virginia Gubernatorial General Election Virginia Attorney General General Election Virginia State House of Delegates General Elections Washington State Legislative Special General Elections   Thanks to your incredible reviews, we are excited to share that we’ve been recognized as one of the 2025 Best Nonprofits by GreatNonprofits! 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