You can make a difference
Join us on Thursday, June 13, at 6pm at the Portage Library for our second Postcard Party! This time we will also be writing Letters to the Editor and playing trivia for prizes—and eating pizza.
We’re focusing on letting people know about the amazing things the Inflation Reduction Act is bringing all of us. Every month there is something new–in healthcare savings, taxpayer savings–and in clean energy–and jobs! Join us to get the word out and make a difference!
Please sign up here and bring a friend!
Join us for a rally for women’s reproductive rights on Sunday, June 23, 12-2 on the Crown Point Square. This action is part of Indivisible National’sMajority over Maga weekend. The focus of this nationwide weekend event is women’s reproductive rights. Details will be coming soon.
Save the dates for Thursday, July 18, at the Portage Library and Wednesday, August 14, at the LaPorte Library. On Aug. 14 we will welcome Congressman Frank Mrvan for a Community Forum. Details for both events will be coming soon.
The truth matters—the economy
Are Americans better off than they were four years ago? Yes.
A new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) helps answer that question
“The CBO analyzed the impact of pandemic-era inflation and income changes on households at different income levels, with a focus on households’ 2019 “consumption bundles. The CBO report compares households’ purchasing power in 2019 versus 2023.”
The key finding: “Purchasing power increased for all groups.”
But of note: “The share of income required to pay for the 2019 consumption bundle decreased for all income quintiles, with the highest-income households experiencing the largest decline…higher-income households saw larger income increases.”
Nonetheless, most of us are able to buy more now than we could before the pandemic. Wage increases have outpaced inflation. Most of us are better off. (American Enterprise Institute)
Enacted, signed into law by the President
- S. 546: A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize law enforcement agencies to use COPS grants for recruitment activities, and for other purposes.
- H.R. 1042: Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act
Congress
Passed the House and Senate, President next
H.R. 2365: Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act
H.J.Res. 109: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to “Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121”, which would kill an SEC regulation that would require disclosure by companies on their balance sheets when they hold their customer’s cryptocurrency assets
Passed 228-182 in the House with Representative Mrvan voting nay; all other Indiana reps voted yea except Reps Carson and Banks who did not vote. View the vote.
Passed 60-48 in the Senate with both Indiana senators voting yea. View the vote.
Administration’s statement: President Joseph Biden [D]: H.J. Res. 109 – Congressional Disapproval of “Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121” Issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission
S. 546: Recruit and Retain Act
Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 – 18
House
Failed veto override
H.J.Res. 98: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to “Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status” failed 214-191 because veto overrides require 2/3rds majority. Representative Mrvan voted nay; all other Indiana reps voted yea or did not vote. View the vote.
Passed the House
H.Res. 1210: Condemning the Biden border crisis and the tremendous burdens law enforcement officers face as a result.
Passed 223 – 185 with all Indiana representatives voting yea except Reps Mrvan and Carson who voted nay and Rep Spartz who did not vote.
This simple resolution was agreed to on May 15, 2024. That is the end of the legislative process for a simple resolution.
Passed the House, Senate next
H.R. 5403: CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act
GovTrack.us “This bill prohibits a Federal Reserve bank from offering products or services directly to an individual, maintaining an account on behalf of an individual, or issuing a central bank digital currency (i.e., a digital dollar) directly or indirectly to an individual. Further, The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is prohibited from using a central bank digital currency to implement monetary policy or from issuing a central bank digital currency.” For an explanation of opposition to this bill see U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Democrats.
Passed 216 – 192 with Indiana Reps Mrvan and Carson voting no and all other Indiana reps voting yea. View the vote.
H.R. 192: To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022
Passed 262 to 143 with all Indiana reps voting ye except Rep Carson who voted nay. View the vote.
H.R. 4763: Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act would, per CRS, create a regulatory structure for crypto. The Biden Administration opposes the bill.. The bill passed 279-136.
All Indiana reps voted yea except Reps Mrvan and Carson who voted no. View the vote.
H.R. 5403: CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, which would prohibit the Federal Reserve from creating a crypto equivalent of US currency, passed 216-192. All Indiana reps voted yea except Reps Mrvan and Carson who voted nay. View the vote.
H.R. 354: LEOSA Reform Act of 2024
GovTrack.us: “This bill broadens the authority for certain law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines.
Specifically, the bill allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms and ammunition (including magazines) in school zones; in national parks; on state, local, or private property that is open to the public; and in certain federal facilities that are open to the public.”
Passed 221 – 185 with all Indiana reps voting yea except Reps Mrvan and Carson who voted nay. View the vote.
H.R. 8146: Police Our Border Act
GovTrack.us: “To require a report by the Attorney General on the impact the border crisis is having on law enforcement at the Federal, State, local, and Tribal level.”
Passed 254 – 157 with all Indiana reps voting yea except Rep Carson who voted nay. View the vote.
H.R. 8369: Israel Security Assistance Support Act
GovTrack.us: “This bill specifies that no federal funds may be used to withhold, halt, reverse, or cancel the delivery of defense articles or defense services to Israel.”
Passed 224 – 187 with all Indiana reps voting yea except Rep Mrvan who voted nay and Rep Carson who did not vote. View the vote.
H.R. 7343: Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act
GovTrack.us: “This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to take custody of any non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) who meets certain inadmissibility criteria and is arrested for, is charged with, is convicted of, or admits to assaulting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.”
Passed 265 – 148 with all Indiana representatives voting yea except Rep Carson who voted nay. View the vote.
H.R. 7530: DC CRIMES Act of 2024
GovTrack.us: “This bill limits the authority of the District of Columbia (DC) government over its criminal sentencing laws.”
Passed 225 – 181 with all Indiana representatives voting yea except Reps Mrvan and Carson who voted nay. View the vote.
H.R. 7109: Equal Representation Act
GovTrack.us: This bill “would add a citizenship question to the Decennial Census and limit apportionment of House seats to only population counts of citizens.”
Passed 206-202. Indiana Representative Mrvan voted nay; all other Indiana reps voted yea wxcept Reps Banks and Carson who did not vote. View the vote.
H.R. 2925: Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2024
GovTrack.us: “This bill sets forth a process to allow mine operations to use, occupy, and conduct operations (e.g., construction of roads and other mining infrastructure activity) on public land regardless of whether a mineral deposit has been discovered on the land.”
Passed 216-195 with Indiana Representative Mrvan voting nay; all other Indiana reps voted yea except Reps Carson and Banks who did not vote. View the vote.
H.R. 6192: Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act
GovTrack.us: “This bill modifies the process by which the Department of Energy (DOE) amends, revokes, or implements energy conservation standards for certain consumer products (other than automobiles), such as household appliances.”
Passed 212-195 with all Indiana representatives voting yea or not voting except Rep Mrvan who voted nay. View the vote.
Passed with little opposition
H.R. 5863: Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023
GovTrack.us: “The bill excludes from taxpayer gross income, for income tax purposes, any amount received by an individual taxpayer as compensation for expenses or losses incurred due to a qualified wildfire disaster (a disaster declared after 2014 as a result of a forest or range fire). It also excludes relief payments for losses resulting from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.” Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 – 7
H.R. 3019: Federal Prison Oversight Act creates a structure for inspections of federal prisons. It passed 392-2.
H.R. 5863: Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 passed 382-7.
H.R. 6960: Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024 passed 399-13
H.R. 6571: Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023, which would establish a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Department of Commerce, passed 399-19
H.R. 3950: TICKET Act, which would require that event ticket sellers disclose all fees up front, passed 388-24
H.R. 3935: Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, the FAA reauthorization bill, passed 387-26
H.R. 4310: Youth Poisoning Protection Act, which would ban any consumer products with a concentration of sodium nitrite of 10% or greater, passed 376-33
H.R. 7581: Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act
Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 356 – 55
H.R. 4510: NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023 (National Telecommunications and Information Administration)
Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 374 – 36
H.R. 4581: Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2023
Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 3
H.R. 1797: Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act
Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 – 3
H.R. 6572: Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023
Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 334 – 79
H.R. 7659: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024
Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 16
H.R. 7219: Information Quality Assurance Act, which would require the Office of Management and Budget to revise the guidelines for federal agencies with respect to the use of scientific, technical, demographic, economic, financial, and statistical evidence, and to publish any models, methodologies, or sources of scientific or technical information relied on in issuing or developing any rule or guidance, passed 377-4
H.R. 7525: Special District Grant Accessibility Act, which would require the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on how federal agencies should recognize special districts, e.g.regional districts, for the purpose of being eligible to receive federal financial assistance, passed 352-27
S. 870: A bill to amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the United States Fire Administration and firefighter assistance grant programs passed 393-13. Because the House made changes (adding in a significant amount of legislative text dealing with nuclear power), the bill goes back to the Senate for agreement before it can be sent to the President for signing.
H.R. 4143: National Construction Safety Team Enhancement Act of 2023 which would expand the purview of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to investigate structural failures in objects besides buildings, passed 358-41
H.R. 3950: TICKET Act
Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 – 2
Agreed to by Voice Vote
H.R. 5887: Government Service Delivery Improvement Act
H.R. 6248: Think Differently Transportation Act
H.R. 3317: Rolling Stock Protection Act
H.R. 807: Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act
H.R. 5527: Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act
H.R. 4814: Consumer Safety Technology Act
H.R. 5390: Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act
H.R. 6132: Awning Safety Act of 2023
H.Con.Res. 106: Expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund local law enforcement agencies.
Senate
Failed in the Senate
S.J.Res. 57: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Treasury relating to “Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds”.
GovTrack.us: “The rule relates to the use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), which were initially authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help state and local governments respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Current regulations allow for the use of funds for authorized purposes by December 31, 2026, if such funds are obligated for expenditure by December 31, 2024.”
Failed 46 – 49 Both Indiana senators voted yea. View the vote.
Failed cloture
S. 4361: Border Act of 2024
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 43 – 50.
Both Indiana senators voted nay. View the vote.
Explanation: This bill is provisionally dead due to a failed vote for cloture on May 23, 2024. Cloture is required to move past a Senate filibuster or the threat of a filibuster and takes a 3/5ths vote. In practice, most bills must pass cloture to move forward in the Senate.
Passed the Senate
S.J.Res. 58: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Furnaces” passed the Senate 50-45. Both Indiana senators voted yea. View the vote.
S. 138: A bill to amend the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 to modify certain provisions of that Act.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
H.R. 3935: Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act
Passed 88-4 but the Senate made changes and so it goes back to the House.
To find and contact your Members of Congress: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
In other news
Economy
“Inflation slowed down in April after several months of faster-than-expected price increases, according to data released Wednesday by the Labor Department.” (The Hill)
Guns
“A federal judge blocked the Biden administration from fully implementing a new rule that would require gun dealers to obtain licenses and conduct background checks when selling firearms at gun shows and online.” (Reuters)
Israel-Hamas war
“Two days after an Israeli airstrike on another camp stirred global condemnation,” Israel denied striking another tent camp west of Rafah…
Earlier, defying an appeal from the International Court of Justice, Israeli tanks advanced to the heart of Rafah for the first time after a night of heavy bombardment, while Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state, a move that further deepened Israel’s international isolation.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, reiterated its opposition to a major Israeli ground offensive in Rafah but said it did not believe such an operation was under way.” (Reuters)
POTUS
“In response to a lawsuit from environmentalists, the Biden administration is ending new leases for coal mining on federal lands in the most productive part of America’s top coal producing state… The proposed ban on new coal leases in the Powder River Basin [in Wyoming and Montana] is now subject to a 30-day public protest period. But even if there are no new leases in the future, the Bureau of Land Management says coal mining will continue in the basin through 2041 on dozens of previously issued leases.” (NPR)
“The Biden administration is canceling student loans for another 160,000 borrowers through a combination of existing programs.
The Education Department announced the latest round of cancellation on Wednesday, saying it will erase $7.7 billion in federal student loans. With the latest action, the administration said it has canceled $167 billion in student debt for nearly 5 million Americans through several programs.”
(AP News)
“The Biden administration announced that it plans to raise tariffs against China across several “strategic sectors,” including steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, ship-to-shore cranes and medical products. EVs made in China will face the biggest uptick, with the administration quadrupling tariffs from 25 percent to 100 percent…The Biden administration has argued that the more aggressive tariffs are necessary to prevent excess Chinese goods from “flooding global markets with exports that are underpriced due to unfair practices.”” (The Hill)
“President Joe Biden has asserted executive privilege over the recordings of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur, according to letters from the White House and Justice Department to House Republicans.” (CNN)
“The White House notified Congress Tuesday that it was moving forward with more than $1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, less than a week after the White House paused a shipment of bombs over a planned Israeli assault on Rafah.” (The Wall Street Journal).
Trump
“The jury in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial is deliberating on a verdict after receiving instructions from the judge on the law and their duties.” (CNN)
“The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s classified documents case chided special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday, denying a gag order request to block Trump from falsely claiming FBI agents were prepared to kill him during the search of his Mar-a-Lago property for classified documents in 2022.” (NBC)
Women’s reproductive rights
“Louisiana could soon become the first state to criminalize possession without a prescription of mifepristone and misoprostol, the two drugs used to induce a medicated abortion.” (The Hill)
Indiana
“Abortion providers are asking an Indiana trial judge this week to broaden access to abortions under the state’s near-total ban…The bench trial before special Judge Kelsey Blake Hanlon is scheduled for Wednesday through Friday.
The Indiana Supreme Court upheld the ban in June, ending a broader legal challenge brought by the same plaintiffs, but said the state’s constitution protects a women’s right to an abortion when her life or health is at risk.
The plaintiffs say the ban’s exceptions for protecting health are written so narrowly that in practice, many doctors won’t end a pregnancy even when a woman’s condition qualifies under the statute.” (ABC News)
“A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday challenges a contentious new Indiana law that seeks to push speech and course content in college classrooms toward “intellectual diversity.”
The litigation lodged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana asserts that Senate Enrolled Act 202 violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.”
(Indiana Capital Chronicle)
“Former Deputy Attorney General Destiny Wells on Tuesday formally filed to seek the Indiana Democratic Party’s nomination for the Office of Attorney General at the party’s convention…Wells is a 21-year military veteran who served in combat and is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. She pledged in her announcement to protect Hoosiers’ medical privacy, strengthen workers’ rights, and restore integrity to Indiana’s Office of the Attorney General...
Former Marion County Clerk Beth White has also filed to run in the convention.
The winner will face incumbent Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita in the November election. He has no competition for the GOP nomination.” (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Northwest Indiana’s sole rape crisis center is preparing to expand its facilities thanks in part to federal funding obtained by the Region’s congressman, U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland. (Times of Northwest Indiana)
“Enrollment in Indiana’s private-school voucher program surged to 70,095 students in 2023-24. That’s a 31 percent increase compared to the previous year, the largest ever jump in a single year.
The state paid $439 million in tuition grants to private parochial or non-religious schools — 40 percent more than the previous year, according to a new state report.
The jump in voucher use comes after nearly every Indiana family became eligible to receive a voucher.” (Indiana Public Media)
“Indiana Disability Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana (ACLU) filed a complaint against the state Friday alleging that changes to an attendant care program threaten the safety and well-being of medically complex children.” (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
“The U.S. Department of Education expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students under Title IX last month — but Indiana has told its schools to ignore the guidance…The deadline for schools to adopt the rules to remain compliant for federal funding is Aug. 1.” (Axios)
“Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to reverse an April 4 Court of Appeals ruling that found the state’s near-total abortion ban violates the religious freedom of some Hoosiers. (Times of Northwest Indiana)
“Hundreds of election administrators, lawmakers, law enforcement officers and others across Indiana — and beyond— [received] glossy election security guides from the state’s top election official, Secretary of State (SOS) Diego Morales.
“Blow the whistle on election interference,” the thick, spiral-bound books read. They’re accompanied by whistles strung on lanyards.
The 180-page document, per SOS spokeswoman Lindsey Eaton, is “a new addition to the library of election guides produced and distributed by the state for election administrators.”
Assembling and shipping 600 guides cost a whopping $35,070. That’s $58.45 each.” (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
