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, and seven more people killed in Half Moon Bay. Read statements from President Biden and Vice President Harris this month on guns here and statements from members of Congress here.

National Debt Limit

On January 19, the United States reached its debt ceiling, which is the limit on government spending that lawmakers already agreed to. This is the first time in United States history that the U.S. government has hit the debt ceiling without raising it, raising questions about what could happen to the economy. View a letter from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on the debt limit here and statements from members of Congress 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 here and statements from members of Congress on the ongoing conflict 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 here and statements from members of Congress 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 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 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 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 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 here to read our summary of the legislation.

ELECTIONS

Special Elections

On January 10, Mississippi and Virginia held state legislative special elections; click each state to see the results. Three states are holding special elections today: Georgia, Mississippi, and 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, 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.

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Vote Smart is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that provides accurate information about candidates, elected officials, and key pieces of 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 political campaigns.