Words This Friday (WTF) with Dr. Kyle Dell

Executive Director Dr. Kyle Dell breaks down the words making headlines this week in “Words This Friday” (WTF) — a quick, insightful look at the language shaping our news and civic conversations.

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Federal Government Files Lawsuit Against California Over Mask Ban For Federal Agents

Source 1: Newsmax, Source 2: CNN

Nearly Unanimous Passage in Congress of Bill to Release Files Related to Jeffrey Epstein

Source 1: Breitbart, Source 2: NBC News

U.S. Welcomes Saudi Arabia Investment While Rekindling Diplomatic Alliances

Source 1: The White House, Source 2: CBS News, Source 3: Fox News

Key Votes Viz by Region: West, South, Midwest, Northeast

Congress

Congress – House and Senate Passed HR 4405 - Epstein Files Transparency Act

Congress – House Passed HR 5107 - Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC (CLEAN DC) Act

Congress – House Passed HR 5214 - District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025

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

State

Michigan (MI) – Senate Passed SB 530 - Requires Petition Circulators to Inform Signers of the Purpose of a Petition

Connecticut (CT) – House Passed HB 8002 - Requires Towns to Create Housing Growth Plans

Ohio (OH) - Senate Passed SB 295 - Extends the Timeline for Restoring Mental Competency of Defendants in Murder Cases

Democrat Representative Ro Khanna sponsored and spearheaded a bill to compel the Department of Justice to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein. The bipartisan legislation was passed in the House 427-1 on Tuesday, November 18, and passed the Senate via unanimous consent later that night. A discharge petition was used to force a vote on the bill after gaining the required 218 signatures. President Donald Trump, who initially opposed the effort, reversed his stance and called on Republicans to approve the release, though the measure remains unsigned.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie cosponsored and spearheaded a bill to compel the Department of Justice to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein. The bipartisan legislation was passed in the House 427-1 on Tuesday, November 18, and passed the Senate via unanimous consent later that night. A discharge petition was used to force a vote on the bill after gaining the required 218 signatures. President Donald Trump, who initially opposed the effort, reversed his stance and called on Republicans to approve the release, though the measure remains unsigned.

2025 Ballot Measures: California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington

This week, there were regular and special elections across the country. Click on the links below to view the results:

Acts of Courage

"I gave a cupcake to the shared bin collector."

Share your Act of Courage to be highlighted in next week’s Digest!