Author: Ellen Morrissey

  • Harris at 26 tie-breaking votes in the U.S. Senate, most ever cast in a single term

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    Vice President Kamala Harris (D) cast three tie-breaking votes in the U.S. Senate related to the Inflation Reduction Act. On August 6, she cast a vote to proceed with debate on the bill, and on August 7 she cast votes to approve an amendment and to pass the bill. During her tenure, Harris has also…

  • Both candidates in the election for Washington’s 3rd Congressional district complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

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    Both candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District —Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D) and Joe Kent (R)—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance…

  • John Fetterman, Mehmet Oz, and six other candidates running for Senate in Pennsylvania

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    John Fetterman (R), Mehmet Oz (R), and six other candidates are running in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate election on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Senator Pat Toomey (R) is not seeking re-election. CBS News‘ Sarah Ewall-Wice wrote, “The Senate race in Pennsylvania is a crucial battleground for both parties fighting over who will control the Senate after…

  • President Joe Biden’s approval rating remains at 39%, according to recent polling averages

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    Recent approval polling averages show President Joe Biden (D) at 39% approval, the same rating he received at the end of June. Fifty-six percent of voters disapprove of his performance. Biden first received this rating on June 29. In July, approval for his presidency hit a new low of 38%, which he last received on…

  • Hawaii lifts last statewide school mask requirement in the nation

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    On August 1, 2022, Hawaii lifted its statewide school mask requirement, making it the final state in the nation to do so. The Hawaii Department of Health announced the change on July 12. Thirty-five states required masks in schools at some point since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some requirements specifically covered schools, while…

  • Biden White House has 474 employees, according to annual report

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    Photo of the White House in Washington, D.C.

    On July, 1, 2022, the White House released its annual report to Congress on personnel, which details White House staff members and their salaries.  The Biden White House includes 474 staff members according to the report. Sixty-three staff members are detailees temporarily assigned to the White House from another agency or department. The other 411…

  • New York’s 23rd Congressional District Republican primary features former gubernatorial nominee, state party chairman

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    Nicholas A. Langworthy and Carl Paladino are running in New York’s 23rd Congressional District Republican primary on August 23, 2022. Incumbent Rep. Christopher Jacobs (R) withdrew from the primary on June 3. Spectrum News 1’s Ryan Whalen wrote, “The election opened up […] when Rep. Chris Jacobs dropped out of the race. Jacobs faced immense pressure from…

  • Seventeen candidates running in New York’s 10th Congressional District Democratic primary

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    Seventeen candidates are running in New York’s 10th Congressional District Democratic primary on August 23, 2022. Candidates receiving significant media attention are U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, who was elected in 2020 to represent the 17th District and is running in the 10th after redistricting; former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio; prosecutor Daniel Goldman;…

  • President Joe Biden’s approval at 39%, the lowest of his presidency thus far

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    Recent polling averages show President Joe Biden’s (D) approval rating at 39% as of June 30, the lowest of his presidency thus far. Fifty-six percent of voters disapprove of his performance. Biden first received this rating earlier in the month on June 13. At the end of May, his approval rating was at 40%. The…

  • Darren Bailey wins Republican nomination for governor of Illinois

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    Photo of the Illinois State Capitol building

    Darren Bailey defeated Richard Irvin, Jesse Sullivan, and three other candidates in the Republican primary for governor of Illinois on June 28, 2022.  Bailey is a state senator and farmer who was first elected to office in 2020. A campaign ad said, “In Springfield, Darren stood up for working families and fought against every single…