August 2

This week in MORE POWER:

Menendez No More
Keeping Kids Safe
Banning Stocks
RE: SCOTUS Reform
Supporting the Alzheimer’s Project

Menendez No More

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is resigning his Senate seat on Aug. 20 after being recently convicted in a federal corruption trial on charges including bribery, extortion and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent. There is a possibility that Menendez will serve jail time.

His departure won't alter the current Senate's ideological balance. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, will replace Menendez, also a Democrat, for the remainder of the term. Menendez, who was up for reelection this year, had filed to run as an Independent instead of a Democrat. But, with the current situation, he could potentially be sentenced to prison before Election Day.

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Keeping Kids Safe

The Senate voted to pass the Kids Online Safety Act by an overwhelming margin of 91 to three. Now, the bill is heading to the House. The Kids Online Safety Act is intended to protect kids while they are online. If this bill becomes law, online platforms must take steps to prevent sexual exploitation and online bullying, provide safeguards for kids’ data and offer parental controls. Previously, these platforms made their own rules; however, the bill’s supporters say that the platforms have not provided sufficient safeguards for kids.

Banning Stocks

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs voted to advance a bipartisan bill called Ending Trading and Holdings In Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act, which would ban members of Congress from buying and selling stocks. This means that the bill can be brought to a vote before the full Senate.

The ETHICS Act aims to decrease corruption within the government. Supporters say that members of Congress have too much insider information to make ethical decisions when buying and selling stocks, and these personal financial priorities influence their decision-making while in public office. Opponents disagree, however, saying that ethical members of Congress can set aside personal priorities when making decisions for the country.

RE: SCOTUS Reforms

President Biden published an opinion piece in the Washington Post this week, calling for several reforms of the Supreme Court (SCOTUS). SCOTUS recently ruled that former President Donald Trump should not be brought to court for actions he took while acting as the president, meaning he had presidential immunity. In the op-ed, President Biden asked Congress to produce a constitutional amendment that would overrule this SCOTUS decision. The amendment, which would be called “No One is Above the Law,” would ensure no president has immunity from federal court if he is suspected of breaking the law.

Additionally, Biden proposed 18-year-long term limits for the SCOTUS justices, who currently have no term limits. Biden also suggested that Congress should pass a set of rules for SCOTUS, so that justices must always reveal the gifts they receive and step away from a case if they or their spouses have any conflict of interest in it, as this may affect their ability to remain impartial. Have thoughts on this that you would like to share with your congressional representatives who would be responsible for making these laws?

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Supporting the Alzheimer’s Project

The Senate passed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization Act, which extends the National Alzheimer's Project through 2035 and updates it to better address Alzheimer's disease. It emphasizes promoting healthy aging and reducing risk factors for cognitive decline. To support the goals of NAPA, the Senate also passed the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, which requires the National Institutes of Health to send an annual report on its National Alzheimer's Project budget and staffing needs to the president and Congress.