Category: Federal
-
Coronavirus daily update: March 20, 2020
As part of Ballotpedia’s coverage on the coronavirus pandemic, we are compiling a daily summary of major changes in the world of politics, government, and elections happening each day. Here is the summary of changes for March 20, 2020, as of Friday afternoon. Federal responses Last night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced S.3548,…
-
U.S. Supreme Court postpones March sitting, closes indefinitely
The U.S. Supreme Court announced it was postponing the 11 hours of oral arguments originally scheduled during its March sitting. In a press release, the court said the delay was “in keeping with public health precautions recommended in response to COVID-19.” The court has heard arguments in 59 of the 73 cases it accepted to…
-
March 26 is the deadline to file for congressional office in Virginia
The statewide filing deadline to run for elected office in Virginia is on March 26, 2020. For prospective candidates seeking to run for a congressional office, Virginia is holding elections for one U.S. Senate seat and 11 U.S. House seats. U.S. Senate: The Class II Senate seat currently held by Mark Warner (D) is up…
-
Coronavirus daily update: March 19, 2020
As part of Ballotpedia’s coverage on the coronavirus pandemic, we are compiling a daily summary of major changes in the world of politics, government, and elections happening each day. Here is the summary of changes for March 19, 2020. Federal responses Last night, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 6201, the second coronavirus relief bill. It…
-
Former Rep. Hunter sentenced to 11 months in prison
Former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R) was sentenced on March 17 to 11 months in prison for using campaign funds for personal expenses. The United States Justice Department began an investigation into the potential misuse of campaign funds by Hunter in March 2017. The House Ethics Committee alleged that Hunter “may have converted tens of thousands…
-
Trump signs coronavirus relief bill into law
President Donald Trump (R) signed into law a coronavirus relief bill in the evening of March 18, 2020. The bill had been passed in the U.S. Senate earlier in the day by a margin of 90–8. The law provides funding for paid sick leave, free coronavirus testing, expanded unemployment insurance, and food assistance programs. Additional…
-
Congressional filing deadlines pass in Maine, Colorado, and Utah
The filing deadlines to run for elected office in Maine, Colorado, and Utah have passed. Maine’s filing deadline was March 16, Colorado’s was March 17, and Utah’s was March 19. In Maine, prospective candidates filed for the following federal offices: U.S. Senate (1 seat) U.S. House (2 seats) There are no open-seat races since every…
-
Illinois congressional primaries see 1 incumbent defeated; 11 incumbents advance without primary challengers
Illinois held statewide major party primaries on March 17, 2020. All 18 U.S. House districts were on the ballot, along with the Class II U.S. Senate seat currently held by Dick Durbin (D). The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2020. Eighteen incumbents filed for re-election; Illinois’ 15th Congressional District incumbent John Shimkus (R)…
-
Senate confirms Danly to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The U.S. Senate confirmed Richard Danly on March 12 to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). President Donald Trump (R) nominated Danly, who previously served as the FERC’s general counsel, in fall 2019. The Senate voted 52-40 to confirm Danly to the commission. Danly’s confirmation filled one of two vacant seats on the five-person commission.…
-
Oberweis wins IL-14 Republican primary
Jim Oberweis won the Republican primary for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District on March 17, defeating six other candidates. With 100% of precincts reporting, Oberweis received 25.6% of the vote, followed by Sue Rezin with 22.8%, Catalina Lauf with 20.1%, Ted Gradel with 13.3%, and James Marter with 11%. Jerry Evans and Anthony Catella also ran…