Poli Alert Politics & Civics

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed legislation on Monday that shortens the state’s early voting period and closes the polls earlier on Election Day. Under the law, Iowa’s early voting period is reduced from 29 days to 20 days, and polls are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. for state and federal …

Senator Roy Blunt, (R-Mo.), said Monday in a surprise announcement that he will not seek a third term in 2022. “After 14 general election victories — three to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide elections — I won’t be a candidate for re-election …

Senate Democrats are introducing a bill that would close a loophole allowing gun sales to proceed if a background check is not completed after 72 hours, even if the gun buyer is not legally allowed to purchase a gun. The gap in existing law has allowed thousands of gun sales to …

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Sunday directing the federal government to promote voting access. The order was signed today to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches for civil rights. “Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have that vote counted,” the president said in …

A former State Department aide appointed by former President Donald Trump has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to the deadly U.S. Capitol riot on January 6. Federico G. Klein, 42, a staff assistant at the State Dept. who previously worked for the Trump campaign, was arrested Thursday. …

On Saturday, the Senate passed President Biden‘s $1.9 trillion Covid Relief bill known as the American Rescue Plan. The legislation includes a direct payment of up to $1,400 for an individual, or $2,800 for a couple that files jointly, plus an additional $1,400 per dependent. It extends jobless benefits through …

After a 25-hour plus marathon voting session, the Senate has passed a $1.9 trillion covid relief package. The American Rescue Plan passed on a 50-49 party-line vote with no Republicans voting for the bill. Alaskan Republican Senator Dan Sullivan left Washington D.C on Friday to attend his father-in-law’s funeral, so Vice …

The DOJ asked the Supreme Court this week to dismiss three lawsuits over a Trump-era immigration policy that led some areas to declare themselves “sanctuary cities,” NBC News reports. The policy was part of an effort to get police departments to tell federal authorities when noncitizens were about to be …

Senator Amy Klobuchar led 27 of her Senate colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging him to include strong support and funding for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs in his 2022 budget. The Senators highlighted the importance of prioritizing this funding in light of increased reports of domestic …

Senate Democrats struck a deal Friday evening to extend unemployment insurance in President Biden‘s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package after deliberating and halting other action for roughly nine hours. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) finally supported Democrat’s proposal for emergency jobless benefits after hesitating to support an earlier version. Democrats will now …

Democratic Women’s Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswomen Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Vice Chair Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), were joined by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) to celebrate the start of Women’s History Month by introducing a bill to honor the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. …

On Thursday, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried called for a federal investigation into Gov. Ron DeSantis’ vaccine distribution. The state’s top Democrat is asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate the Republican governor after the Miami Herald published an article on Wednesday that said a wealthy senior community …

Following the deadly blackouts that left millions of people without electricity and heat for days in subfreezing conditions, the Texas power grid president and CEO has been terminated. On Wednesday, The board of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, responsible for 90% of the state’s power, sent Bill Magness a …

While working at the White House as a physician, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) drank alcohol, took sleeping medication, and sexually harassed a female staffer, according to a report released by Pentagon’s inspector general. The 37-page report concluded that Jackson’s “overall course of conduct toward subordinates disparaged, belittled, bullied, and humiliated them.” …

New York lawmakers have agreed to take away New York Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s pandemic-related emergency powers as he faces two ongoing controversies. The bill to limit his powers comes as Governor Cuomo faces an investigation into sexual misconduct claims and accusations that his administration mismanaged COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The COVID-19 emergency …