VoteSmart.org

The Vote Smart Research team has been hard at work this past month. Check
out some key highlights below!

STATEMENTS

Mass Shootings

Several mass shootings received national coverage in January with over
forty taking place across the country. Some of the deadliest shootings of
2023 occurred in California with
eleven people killed at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, an
d seven more people killed in Half Moon Bay. Read statements from President
Biden and Vice President Harris this month on guns [1]here and statements
from members of Congress [2]here.

National Debt Limit

On January 19, the United States reached its debt ceiling, which is the lim
it on government spending that lawmakers already agreed to. This is the fir
st time in United States history that the U.S. government has hit
the debt ceiling without raising it, raising questions about what could hap
pen to the economy. View a letter from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on
the debt limit [3]here and statements from members of Congress [4]here.

Russia and Ukraine

Fighting between Ukraine and Russia has entered its eleventh month. The
United States has continued its support of Ukraine and has agreed to send
31 Abrams tanks to assist in its defense efforts. Read President Biden's
statement on continued support for Ukraine [5]here and statements from
members of Congress on the ongoing conflict [6]here.

Reproductive Rights

In January, several politicians recognized the 50th anniversary of the
decision in Roe v. Wade. See statements from President Biden and Vice
President Harris on the anniversary [7]here and statements from members of
Congress [8]here. On January 11, the House passed a joint resolution to
condemn attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. Read
statements from members of Congress on the resolution [9]here.

VOTES

Strategic Production Response Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Strategic Production Response
Act on January 27 in a 221–205 vote. The bill limits the drawdown of
petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy
develops a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil
and gas production. Click [10]here to read our summary of the legislation.

Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act

On January 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting
America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act in a 331–97 vote. The
bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic
Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Click [11]here to read our summary of the
legislation.

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors
Protect Act on January 11 in a 220–210 vote. The bill establishes
requirements for the degree of care a healthcare practitioner must provide
in the case of premature birth following an abortion or attempted abortion.
Click [12]here to read our summary of the legislation.

Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act

On January 9, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Family and Small
Business Taxpayer Protection Act in a 221–210 vote. The bill rescinds
certain balances made available to the Internal Revenue Service.
Click [13]here to read our summary of the legislation.

ELECTIONS

Special Elections

On January 10, [14]Mississippi and [15]Virginia held state legislative
special elections; click each state to see the results. Three states are
holding special elections today: [16]Georgia, [17]Mississippi, and
[18]Pennsylvania. See who's running in each by clicking a state.

New Senator

On January 23, the U.S. Senate swore in a new member, [19]Pete Ricketts of
Nebraska. He replaced Senator Ben Sasse, who stepped down to become
president of the University of Florida. Ricketts, the former governor of
Nebraska, was appointed by current Governor Jim Pillen to fill the vacancy.
He is eligible to run in a special election in November 2024 to fill out
the remaining two years of Sasse's term and will serve in the role until at
least January 2025.

Thanks for following along with us. We'll be back with more updates soon.

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CONTACT US

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[29]Vote Smart is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that provides
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legislation. By providing information in an easy and accessible manner,
Vote Smart believes that citizens can better defend themselves from the
questionable rhetoric and misrepresentation that characterizes present-day
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