February 16th

This week in MORE POWER:
Dems Flip Santos Senate Seat
Mayorkas Impeachment Take 2
Foreign Aid Stalled in The House
Budget Deadlines Fast Approaching
A Super Bowl and a Mass Shooting

Dems Flip Santos Seat

On Tuesday, there was a special election in New York's 3rd congressional district, to replace former Republican Rep. George Santos who was expelled in December 2023 and is under federal criminal indictment. Former Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., won against Republican Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip. The race has national implications because Republicans are struggling to maintain their slim majority in the House. The House margin is currently 219 to 212. Suozzi will be sworn in on February 28.

Mayorkas Impeachment Take 2

On Tuesday, House Republicans voted to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a 214-213 vote after failing to get enough votes last week. Republicans accused him of a "systemic refusal to comply with the law," however, Democrats believe it is a political move to cast doubt on the Biden administration. This is the first cabinet secretary impeachment in over 150 years, and Mayorkas is the first Latino to hold this position.

Mayorkas will now face a trial in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where two-thirds of the Senate will have to vote yay in order to convict and remove him from office, which is highly unlikely. The Senate is expected to begin Mayorkas' trial on February 26.

Foreign Aid Stalled in the House

The Senate passed a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan but House Speaker Mike Johnson says he won’t bring it to a vote in the House claiming that instead, he will focus on the looming budget deadlines. The bill includes approximately $60 billion for Ukraine, $14.1 billion for Israel, and $9.2 billion for humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and other war zones.

Some members of the House are working on a petition to get around leadership and bring the bill to a vote since they believe it would pass if given the opportunity. However, successfully executing the petition is unlikely. A discharge petition would require a majority of House members to sign on. A growing number of progressive members are raising concerns about giving more money to Israel without conditions for humanitarian protections.

Budget Deadline Fast Approaching

Deadlines for Congress to pass a budget to keep the government open are fast approaching. Funding for Agriculture, Military Construction-VA, Transportation-HUD, and Energy and Water run out on March 1, and funding for Commerce, Justice, Science, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Financial Services and General Government, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Foreign Operations, Department of the Interior, Environment, and the Legislative Branch expire on March 8.

Members return on Feb. 28, so they will only have three days to avoid the first deadline after returning to session. Last year, as part of a deal to raise the debt limit, congressional leadership agreed to cuts across the board if they fail to reach a long-term deal by April.

You can use the links above to read about the budget bills and take action.

A Super Bowl and a Mass Shooting

There was yet another mass shooting in America this week. At a Chiefs Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday, gunfire left 22 people injured and one dead. The shooting was the 50th mass shooting this year. It’s February. There are several bills that have been introduced in Congress that could come up for a vote that addresses gun legislation.

Assault Weapons Ban

Federal Firearm Licensee Act

Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act

You can use the links above to read about the bills and take action.