Trump Signed Executive Order Designating Antifa a “Domestic Terrorist Organization”


Source 1: The White House, Source 2: CNN, Source 3: Newsmax

White House Directs Agencies to Prepare Mass Layoffs Ahead of Potential Shutdown


Source 1: The Washington Times, Source 2: CBS News

Dallas ICE Facility Shooting Raises Political Tensions Around Migration Policy



Source 1: Fox News, Source 2: Reuters

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:


  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue.
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand.
  3. The vote has received media attention.
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin.

Congress

House & Senate Passed HR 5371 – Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026


Senate Nomination Confirmed PN 343 - Nomination of Michael G. Waltz to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations


House Passed H Res 719 – Honoring the life and legacy of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk


State

Texas (TX) – Governor Greg Abbott Signed HB 7 – Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills

Wisconsin (WI) – House Passed AB 308 – Prohibits Public Funds From Being Used to Pay for Health Care Services for Undocumented Immigrants





North Carolina (NC) – Senate Passed HB 192 – Requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to Disenroll Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid Provider

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

Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a special election Tuesday to succeed her father, the late former Congressman Raul Grijalva, to represent Arizona’s 7th district. This district consists of the southern portion of the state, stretching from Yuma to Tucson. The younger Grijalva, who was previously a Pima County Commissioner, will take office this month and bring the Democrat’s total membership to 214 to the GOP’s 219.


Republican Jason Dickerson won a special election Tuesday to represent Georgia’s 21st state senate district. This seat, which includes the city of Alpharetta, was declared vacant in May when Brandon Beach was confirmed as United States Treasurer. Dickerson’s win, which went to a runoff this week after a close General Election last month, brings the chamber’s Republican membership to 32, compared to the Democrat’s 23.

Next week, there are a pair of special elections for the State Legislatures in Alabama and Florida. 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.

Vote Smart is grassroots: no ads, no agendas, just facts. Your support helps keep it that way.

Patriotic holiday. Silhouettes of people holding the Flag of USA. America celebrate 4th of July.
Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  X  YouTube