MORE POWER for Nov. 18th

Written By DSEANTE PARKS

1000 MORE's weekly nonpartisan roundup of the most important happenings in federal government, written in a way that doesn't require a law degree to understand, with tools to take action

November 18, 2022

This week in MORE POWER:
Respect for Marriage Act
Midterm Election's impact on Congress
Crowdfund advocacy on voting rights
Hearing on a Cherokee Nation delegate
Sunshine Protection Act
Update on Biden's judicial nominees
A feature for animal lovers
Bills on the Hill this week
FAQ of the week

HAPPENINGS ON THE HILL

Update: Respect for Marriage Act

The Respect for Marriage Act overcame a Senate filibuster on Wednesday afternoon in a 62-37 vote. 12 Republican Senators voted with all 50 Democrats to advance this legislation. The bill repeals the Defense of Marriage Act and ensures same-sex and interracial marriages are recognized for federal benefits.

The Senate still needs to vote to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, but the necessary votes are secure. The House will need to repass the bill due to a religious liberty amendment added by the Senate. Both votes are expected shortly after Thanksgiving.

Midterm Election Results

While there are still a few elections tallying votes, we know how the chambers will look for Congress' next two-year term, which starts on January 3.

Democrats maintain a slim majority in the Senate. There is one outstanding race in Georgia, which will hold a runoff on December 6. Not including Georgia, Democrats have 50 Senate seats plus a tie-breaker vote from the Vice President. A Democrat majority means Biden appointees - from judges to agency heads to ambassadors - will be approved more quickly, though Democrats do not have the 60 votes required to overcome the filibuster.

The Republicans took a slim majority in the House. The Republican Speaker of the House will set the agenda and Republican members will chair key committees, controlling votes and investigations.

Just heard Congress took action on the Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Crowdfunding for or against voting rights

Last year, the House passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which, if it passes the Senate and gets signed into law, would mean that the Department of Justice must approve any changes to voting processes in states that have a record of voting rights violations.

You can use your dollars to support organizations that are aligned with your values and doing the work on the Hill to advance or stop this bill!

The Cherokee Nation may (finally) get a delegate in Congress in 2023.

Cherokee Nation Delegate

This week the House Rules Committee held a hearing to discuss creating a new seat for Kim Teehee, who would represent the 400,000 citizens of the Cherokee Nation as a delegate. The committee suggested there was bipartisan support for this, but they have not introduced the necessary bill yet.

Seating the Cherokee Nation’s delegate would finally satisfy the United States’ side of the 1866 treaty that displaced the Cherokee nation and acquired seven million acres for the U.S. in exchange for a delegate’s seat in Congress. 

While a delegate position is not a voting position, Teehee would be able to sit on committees and introduce legislation, similar to delegates from D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Have a view on this you want to share?

Sunshine Protection Act

Sick of it getting dark early? There's a bill for that! In March, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Savings Time the new, permanent time. We’d never have to “spring forward” or “fall back” again!

The House has not taken the bill up for a vote. Let your reps know if you want a little more sunshine this winter.

It's a courtroom.

Update: Judicial Confirmations

On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Judge María del R. Antongiorgi-Jordán, of Puerto Rico, to be District Judge for Puerto Rico. 

There are 20 more judicial nominees waiting for confirmation votes in the Senate. Stay tuned for updates as judges are confirmed during the lame duck.

A FEATURE FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

Congress can pass legislation that can help or harm animals. 

You can read about bills pertaining to animals and track their progress in the platform. Just add "Animals" to your favorites list and then tap the "Animals" topic button on the home page to filter your feed to only see those bills.

Right now there are two bills before Congress concerning animal welfare: the PAW Act and the PAST Act.

BILLS ON THE HILL

YOUR WEEKLY FAQ

Q: We just had an election. Are my reps still my reps?

A: A real question, from one of our members. And the answer is simple - YES! 

New members of Congress elected last week do not start until Congress next term begins on January 3, 2023. We will be updating the platform in advance of the 118th Congress, so when it starts, your rep will be updated. 

Remember, you must have an account and be signed in to see the people who represent you. 

And that is your weekly roundup...

Congress is out of session next week for the holiday, so we won't be back in your inboxes until Friday, December 2nd. 

Until then...

DSEANTE PARKS
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