Tag: federal
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U.S. House votes to adopt Senate-amended budget resolution
On April 10, the House of Representatives voted to adopt the Senate-amended version of budget resolution HCon.Res.14, completing the budget resolution process. The House voted 216-214 in favor of the resolution, with 216 Republicans voting in favor and Reps. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) joining 212 Democrats in voting against the resolution. The…
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Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for April 2025
In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies from March 2, 2025, to April 1, 2025. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS New vacancies There were 45 vacancies out of 870 active Article III judicial positions, a total vacancy percentage of 5.2%,…
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President Donald Trump (R) has issued most executive orders in the first 100 days of his presidency since Franklin Delano Roosevelt (D)
As of March 23, 2025, President Donald Trump (R) has issued 98 executive orders so far in his second presidential term. This is the most executive orders issued by a president during the first 100 days of an administration since Franklin Delano Roosevelt (D), who issued 99 orders during that timeframe. Recent orders issued by…
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President Trump fires the two Democratic FTC commissioners
On March 18, 2025, the Trump Administration sent letters to the two Democratic Commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) saying that they were removed as commissioners effective immediately. At least one of the letters stated that the commissioner’s “continued service on the F.T.C. is inconsistent with my administration’s priorities.” There are two active Republican…
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Biden has appointed 235 federal judges through January 1 of his fourth year
President Joe Biden (D) has appointed and the Senate has confirmed 235 Article III federal judges through January 1, 2024, his fourth year in office. This is the most Article III judicial appointments confirmed through this point in all presidencies since President Ronald Reagan (R). The Senate had confirmed 234 of President Donald Trump’s (R)…
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SEC chairman announces resignation
SEC Chairman Gary Gensler announced Nov. 21 that he will leave his position effective Jan. 20, 2025, at the end of Joe Biden’s (D) presidency. Trump will name his replacement. Gensler promoted policies supportive of ESG investing as chairman, including a set of rules requiring climate-related corporate disclosures. Most commentators believe Trump’s replacement will likely…
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Donald Trump (R) announced Linda McMahon as his nominee for secretary of Education in his second presidential term
Donald Trump (R) announced on Nov. 19, 2024, that he had selected Linda McMahon as his nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. This position requires Senate confirmation. In a statement, Trump said, “Linda will use her decades of Leadership experience, and deep understanding of both Education and Business, to empower the next…
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New federal SNAP work requirements take effect: age exemption rises to 54
On October 1, 2024, the final phase of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) will take effect, raising the age limit for exemptions from certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements. Individuals will now age out of the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements at age 54, instead of 52. This means that able-bodied…
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Joe Biden ends Sept. with highest presidential approval rating since Sept. 2023
At the end of Sept., approval polling averages showed President Joe Biden (D) at 42% approval. Fifty-five percent of voters disapproved of his performance. This was the highest approval rating Biden has received since Sept. 2023. Throughout Sept., Biden’s approval rating ranged from 41% to 42%. The lowest approval rating he’s received during his presidency…
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U.S. House passes two bills opposing ESG
The House of Representatives passed two bills opposing ESG on Sept. 18 and Sept. 19. HR 5339 would require fiduciaries to make investment decisions based on financial factors. HR 4790 proposed limiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) climate risk disclosure requirements. Ballotpedia tracks support for and opposition to the environmental, social, and corporate governance…