Year: 2025
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Texas legislature set to consider universal school choice legislation after 2024 elections replaced Republican opponents with Republican supporters
Texas State Senate Republicans introduced a universal school choice bill (Senate Bill 2) on Jan. 24, and the Senate Education Committee approved it 9-2 on Jan. 29. SB 2 was placed on the Senate’s intent calendar for a floor vote on February 4. SB 2 would create an education savings account (ESA) program that, subject…
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Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee holds confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services on Jan. 30, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on his nomination. Kennedy must receive a majority approval vote in the…
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Senate Intelligence Committee holds confirmation hearing for Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence
The Senate Intelligence Committee held a confirmation hearing for Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence on Jan. 30, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on her nomination. Gabbard must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before her nomination can be put up…
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Texas sends letter opposing financial firm DEI policies
Ten states, led by Texas, have requested information from BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and others regarding their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The Jan. 23 letter argued business and investment decisions based on race, sex, and other diversity criteria could violate financial firms’ fiduciary duty to focus on maximizing shareholder value. Texas and other states…
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Jimmy Patronis (R) won the Jan. 28 special Republican primary in Florida’s 1st Congressional District
Jimmy Patronis (R) defeated nine other candidates in the special Republican primary in Florida’s 1st Congressional District on January 28, 2025. He earned 65.8% of the vote to second-place finisher Joel Rudman’s (R) 10%. The general election is on April 1, 2025. The previous incumbent, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R), resigned from Congress after President Donald…
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Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee holds confirmation hearing for Howard Lutnick for secretary of commerce
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a confirmation hearing for Howard Lutnick for secretary of commerce on Jan. 29, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on his nomination. Lutnick must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before his nomination can be…
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Senate Finance Committee holds confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services
The Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services on Jan. 29, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on his nomination. Kennedy must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before his nomination…
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Democrats gain a seat in the Iowa Senate
On Jan. 28, Mike Zimmer (D) defeated Katie Whittington (R) in the special election for Iowa Senate District 35, 51.7% to 48.1%. The seat became vacant in November 2024 after Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) appointed Sen. Chris Cournoyer (R) to serve as lieutenant governor. The last time that the seat was up for election in…