Join Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert of Talk Talk Vote! as they discuss current issues and give you the info you need to make your own difference in the world.

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>H.R. 4016: Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>For those veterans who become unable to manage their VA benefits, the VA has a program in which another person can serve as a fiduciary to help the veteran. However, as with anything, there&#39;s the potential for fraud. This bill would provide for reimbursement to veterans defrauded by fiduciaries.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 4016</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4016" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 4824: Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill would direct the Secretary of Energy to start performing carbon sequestration work and evaluating the effects of it. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, carbon sequestration can be divided into geologic and biologic sequestration. The former often can assist oil wells which are no longer producing at high levels to produce more oil. Geologic sequestration involves forcing CO2 into geologic formations while biologic generally refers to growing more vegetation, like trees, which can capture and store carbon.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 4824</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4824" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 6093: Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill would reauthorize funds to be used to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration&#39;s weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 6093</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6093" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 3195: Superior National Forest Restoration Act – OPPOSE<ul><li>This bill would reauthorize mining in specified Forest Service lands in Minnesota.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote NO on HR 3195</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3195" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 6285: Alaska’s Right to Produce Act of 2023 – OPPOSE<ul><li>This bill would ratify and approve all authorizations, permits, verifications, extensions, biological opinions, incidental take statements, and any other approvals or orders issued pursuant to Federal law necessary for the establishment and administration of the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program, and for other purposes.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote NO on HR 6285</li><li>Marginal Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6285" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Budget<ul><li>Hearings to examine Big Oil&#39;s evolving efforts to avoid accountability for climate change.</li><li><a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/denial-disinformation-and-doublespeak_big-oils-evolving-efforts-to-avoid-accountability-for-climate-change" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 9:00am ET, Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Foreign Relations<ul><li>Hearings to examine conflict and humanitarian emergency in Sudan; focusing on an urgent call to action.</li><li><a href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/conflict-and-humanitarian-emergency-in-sudan-an-urgent-call-to-action" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:30am ET, Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Where to find other Senate hearings!<ul><li><a href="https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm</a></li></ul>

Coming Up in The Capitol: 4.28.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>H.R. 4016: Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>For those veterans who become unable to manage their VA benefits, the VA has a program in which another person can serve as a fiduciary to help the veteran. However, as with anything, there&#39;s the potential for fraud. This bill would provide for reimbursement to veterans defrauded by fiduciaries.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 4016</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4016" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 4824: Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill would direct the Secretary of Energy to start performing carbon sequestration work and evaluating the effects of it. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, carbon sequestration can be divided into geologic and biologic sequestration. The former often can assist oil wells which are no longer producing at high levels to produce more oil. Geologic sequestration involves forcing CO2 into geologic formations while biologic generally refers to growing more vegetation, like trees, which can capture and store carbon.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 4824</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4824" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Foreign Relations<ul><li>[Many more items than listed here] Business meeting to consider...to impose sanctions with respect to persons engaged in the import of petroleum from the Islamic Republic of Iran, to impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for terrorist organizations in Gaza and the West Bank, to impose sanctions with respect to the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President of Iran and their respective offices for human rights abuses and support for terrorism, to address the threat from the development of Iran&#39;s ballistic missile program and the transfer or deployment of Iranian missiles and related goods and technology, including materials and equipment, to require a strategy to counter the role of the People&#39;s Republic of China in evasion of sanctions imposed by the United States with respect to Iran</li><li><a href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-04-16-2024" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:00am ET, Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Judiciary<ul><li>Hearings to examine eliminating the abuse of solitary confinement, focusing on a legacy of harm.</li><li><a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/legacy-of-harm-eliminating-the-abuse-of-solitary-confinement" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:00am ET, Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Judiciary: Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law<ul><li>An oversight hearing to examine AI, focusing on election deepfakes.</li><li><a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/oversight-of-ai-election-deepfakes" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 2:00pm ET, Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Investigations<ul><li>Hearings to examine Boeing&#39;s broken safety culture, focusing on firsthand accounts.</li><li><a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/investigations/hearings/examining-boeings-broken-safety-culture-firsthand-accounts/" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 2:00pm ET, Wednesday, April 17, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Where to find other Senate hearings!<ul><li><a href="https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm</a></li></ul>

Coming Up in The Capitol: 4.14.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>H.R. 4389: Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and revises the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, which provides financial assistance for projects to promote the conservation of neotropical migratory birds.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 4389</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4389" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 2560: Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023 – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program to encourage and facilitate coordinated rapid response and rescue of stranded marine turtles.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 2560</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2560" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 4639: Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>To amend section 2702 of title 18, United States Code, to prevent law enforcement and intelligence agencies from obtaining subscriber or customer records in exchange for anything of value, to address communications and records in the possession of intermediary internet service providers, and for other purposes.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 4639</li><li>Bipartisan support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4639" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Budget<ul><li>Hearings to examine offshore tax evasion by the wealthy and corporations.</li><li><a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/sunny-places-for-shady-people-offshore-tax-evasion-by-the-wealthy-and-corporations" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:00am ET, Wednesday, April 10, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Joint Economic Committee<ul><li>Hearings to examine investing in early childhood education.</li><li><a href="https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/4/building-blocks-for-success-investing-in-early-childhood-education" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 2:30pm ET, Wednesday, April 10, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Where to find other Senate hearings!<ul><li><a href="https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm</a></li></ul>

Coming Up in the Capitol: 4.7.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>H.R. 6610: Passport System Reform and Backlog Prevention Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill is intended to provide for the modernization of the passport issuance process, and for other purposes.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 6610</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6610" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 7520: Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill prohibits data brokers from transferring sensitive data of United States individuals to foreign adversaries, and for other purposes.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 7520</li><li>Bipartisan Support</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7520" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 6009: Restoring American Energy Dominance Act – OPPOSE<ul><li>This bill requires the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a proposed rule titled Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process. The rule would make various changes to oil and gas leasing on public lands, including to implement provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote NO on HR 6009</li><li>NO Bipartisanship</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6009" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 1121: Protecting American Energy Production Act – OPPOSE<ul><li>This bill prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless Congress authorizes the moratorium. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the formation.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote NO on HR 1121</li><li>NO Bipartisanship</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1121" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Aging<ul><li>Hearings to examine keeping our promise to older adults and people with disabilities, focusing on the status of Social Security today.</li><li><a href="https://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/keeping-our-promise-to-older-adults-and-people-with-disabilities-the-status-of-social-security-today" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:00am ET, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Budget<ul><li>Hearings to examine the nature of climate costs.</li><li><a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/recreation-at-risk-the-nature-of-climate-costs" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:00am ET, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Finance<ul><li>Hearings to examine the President&#39;s proposed budget request for fiscal year 2025.</li><li><a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/hearing-on-the-presidents-fiscal-year-2025-budget" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:00am ET, Thursday, March 21, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Where to find other Senate hearings!<ul><li><a href="https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm</a></li></ul>

Coming Up in the Captol: 3.17.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>H.R. 7521: Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act – BE INFORMED	<ul><li>This bill is intended to protect the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary controlled applications, such as TikTok and any successor application or service and any other application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Ltd. or an entity under the control of ByteDance Ltd.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them what you think!</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7521" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.R. 886: Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill amends the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to improve the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation, to amend the Marine Debris Act to improve the administration of the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them to vote YES on HR 886</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/886" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> H.Res. 1065: Denouncing the Biden administration’s immigration policies – OPPOSE<ul><li>No matter how you feel about President Biden&#39;s immigration policies, our elected officials would better serve their constituents by actually writing immigration legislation, as opposed to complaining about the status quo.</li><li>Call Your Representative: tell them you&#39;re tired of them talking and that you want to see some action.</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/1065" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Judiciary<ul><li>Hearings to examine voting rights in America.</li><li><a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/the-right-side-of-history-protecting-voting-rights-in-america" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:00am ET, Tuesday, March 12, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Rules and Administration<ul><li>Hearings to examine administration of upcoming elections.</li><li><a href="https://www.rules.senate.gov/hearings/03/05/2024/administration-of-upcoming-elections" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 3:00pm ET, Tuesday, March 12, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Where to find other Senate hearings!<ul><li><a href="https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm</a></li></ul>

Coming Up in the Capitol: 3.11.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>HR 6585: Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act– SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grant Program.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote YES on HR 6585</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6585?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3BHR+6585%26%2334%3B%7D&r=1&s=2" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> (PASSED – HR 7102: Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act – we asked you to SUPPORT last week. Passed out of the House 2/29/24!!) <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Homeland Security and Government Affairs<ul><li>Hearings to examine closing corporate loopholes that reward offshoring jobs and profits.</li><li><a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-18/" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 9:30am ET, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Where to find other Senate hearings!<ul><li><a href="https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm</a></li></ul>

Coming Up in the Capitol: 3.3.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>HR 7102: Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill establishes an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote YES on HR 7102</li><li>Bipartisan sponsors</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7102?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3BHR+7102%26%2334%3B%7D&r=1&s=1" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> HR 6585: Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act– SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grant Program.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote YES on HR 6585</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6585?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3BHR+6585%26%2334%3B%7D&r=1&s=2" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul>

Coming Up in the Capitol: 2.25.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>HR 6976: Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act – OPPOSE<ul><li>This bill makes driving while intoxicated or impaired a ground for (1) barring a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) from admission into the United States, or (2) deporting the individual.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote NO on HR 6976</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6976" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> HR 6678: Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act – OPPOSE<ul><li>This bill makes certain acts related to Social Security fraud a ground for (1) barring a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) from admission into the United States, or (2) deporting the individual.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote NO on HR 6678</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6678" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> HR 5585: Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act – OPPOSE<ul><li>This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for operating a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the U.S. border while fleeing from a U.S. Border Patrol officer or a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer who is actively assisting or under the command of the U.S. Border Patrol.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote NO on HR 5585</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5585" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> HR 6679: No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act – OPPOSE<ul><li>The bill prohibits any non-U.S. national who participated in or otherwise facilitated the October 7, 2023, attacks from seeking any immigration-related relief or protections, including (1) protection from being deported to a country where the individual&#39;s life or freedom would be threatened, or (2) asylum in the United States.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote NO on HR 6679</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6679" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul>

This Week in the Capitol: 1.28.24

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The House is not in session this week, so we&#39;re focusing on Senate hearings.<h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Rules and Administration<ul><li>Hearings to examine the use of Artificial Intelligence at the Library of Congress, Government Publishing Office, and Smithsonian Institution.</li><li><a href="https://www.rules.senate.gov/hearings/the-use-of-artificial-intelligence-at-the-library-of-congress-government-publishing-office-and-smithsonian-institution" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 2:15m ET, Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (or watch after!</a><a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/national-security-challenges-outpacing-china-in-emerging-technology" rel="nofollow">)</a></li></ul> Judiciary - Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism<ul><li>Hearings to examine AI in criminal investigations and prosecutions.</li><li><a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/ai-in-criminal-investigations-and-prosecutions" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 2:30pm ET, Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Foreign Relations<ul><li>Business meeting to consider S.2003, to authorize the Secretary of State to provide additional assistance to Ukraine using assets confiscated from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and other sovereign assets of the Russian Federation.</li><li><a href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-01-24-2024" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Budget<ul><li>Hearings to examine how the climate crisis threatens ocean industries.</li><li><a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/warming-seas-cooling-economy-how-the-climate-crisis-threatens-ocean-industries" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Small Business and Entrepreneurship<ul><li>Hearings to examine succession planning, focusing on opportunities to build wealth and keep jobs in local communities.</li><li><a href="https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=F0D2BE26-3387-4CD2-A61D-3BFA51BF3841" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 2:15pm ET, Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul>

This Week in the Capitol: 1.21.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>HR 4250: PRESS Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act</li><li>Under this law, federal entities would not be able to compel journalists to disclose protected information except in very limited circumstances.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote YES on HR 4250</li><li>Bipartisan sponsors</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4250?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3BHR4250%26%2334%3B%7D&r=1&s=1" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> HR 3058: Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2023 – SUPPORT<ul><li>This bill requires state child welfare services to implement a &#34;family partnership plan&#34; which would improve foster care placement stability, increase rates of kinship placements (placement of children with family members), and align the composition of foster and adoptive families with the needs of children in or entering foster care.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote YES on HR 803</li><li>Bipartisan sponsors</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3058?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3Bhr3058%26%2334%3B%7D&r=1&s=2" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> BUDGET<ul><li>We expect a bipartisan budget deal to come up this week or next.</li><li>While this deal will not include funding for things like the war in Ukraine, passing it would help avert a partial government shutdown.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to SUPPORT a bipartisan budget deal</li></ul> <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Budget<ul><li>Hearings to examine closing corporate loopholes that reward offshoring jobs and profits.</li><li><a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/the-great-tax-escape-closing-corporate-loopholes-that-reward-offshoring-jobs-and-profits" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions<ul><li>Hearings to examine addressing long COVID, focusing on advancing research and improving patient care.</li><li><a href="https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/addressing-long-covid-advancing-research-and-improving-patient-care" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Thursday, January 18, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs<ul><li>An oversight hearing on A.I. and the future of journalism.Hearings to examine national security challenges, focusing on outpacing China in emerging technology.</li><li><a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/national-security-challenges-outpacing-china-in-emerging-technology" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Thursday, January 18, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Environment and Public Works<ul><li>Business meeting to consider:</li><li>S.1863, (PROVE IT Act of 2023) to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study and submit a report on the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of certain products produced in the United States and in certain foreign countries.</li><li>S.2781, (Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2023) to promote remediation of abandoned hardrock mines.</li><li><a href="https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=26F4F345-9A7A-4BB4-ADDA-AE36CE433E95" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10:30am ET, Thursday, January 18, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul>

This Week in the Capitol: 1.14.24

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<h3>Bills expected on the Floor of the House this week:</h3>HR 788: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023 – OPPOSE<ul><li>This law would limit the government&#39;s ability to direct settlement payments by corporate wrongdoers to organizations that work to assist in relief efforts for broader groups of victims.</li><li>In the past, this ability has been used to direct settlements from big banks who were held responsible for their roles in the mortgage foreclosure crisis in the early 2000s. A portion of that settlement money was directed to community organizations that assisted broader communities affected by the foreclosure crisis.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote NO on HR 788</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/788?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3B788%26%2334%3B%7D&r=8&s=1" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> HR 803: PROTECT Taiwan Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>Pressure Regulatory Organizations To End Chinese Threats to Taiwan Act</li><li>This law would require excluding Chinese representatives from certain international organizations if there are reported actions by China that threaten Taiwan&#39;s security, society, or economy.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote YES on HR 803</li><li>Bipartisan sponsors</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/803?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3Btaiwan%26%2334%3B%7D&r=18&s=2" rel="nofollow">here</a></li><li>Other Taiwan-focused bill: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/540?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3B540%26%2334%3B%7D&r=1&s=4" rel="nofollow">HR 540</a></li></ul> HR 4768: No Russian Agriculture Act – SUPPORT<ul><li>This law would direct the Treasury to invest in projects with the goal of reducing US reliance on Russian agricultural goods.</li><li>Call Your Representative: ask them to vote YES on HR 4768</li><li>Bipartisan sponsors</li><li>Read more <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4768?q=%7B%26%2334%3Bsearch%26%2334%3B%3A%26%2334%3B4768%26%2334%3B%7D&r=1&s=3" rel="nofollow">here</a></li></ul> <h3>Senate Hearings Scheduled:</h3>Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs<ul><li>Hearings to examine harnessing AI to improve government services and customer service.</li><li><a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/harnessing-ai-to-improve-government-services-and-customer-experience/" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Wednesday, January 10, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Budget<ul><li><a href="http://www.budget.senate.gov/" rel="nofollow"> </a>Hearings to examine investing in the future, focusing on safeguarding municipal bonds from climate risk.</li><li><a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/investing-in-the-future-safeguarding-municipal-bonds-from-climate-risk" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Wednesday, January 10, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Judiciary - Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law<ul><li>An oversight hearing on A.I. and the future of journalism.</li><li><a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/oversight-of-ai-the-future-of-journalism" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 2pm ET, Wednesday, January 10, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Energy and Natural Resources<ul><li>Hearings to examine federal electric vehicle incentives including the federal government&#39;s role in fostering reliable and resilient electric vehicle supply chains.</li><li><a href="https://www.energy.senate.gov/hearings/2024/1/full-committee-hearing-to-examine-federal-electric-vehicle-incentives-including-the-federal-government-s-role-in-fostering-reliable-and-resilient-electric-vehicle-supply-chains" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Thursday, January 11, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul> Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs<ul><li>Hearings to examine stopping the flow of fentanyl, focusing on public awareness and legislative solutions.</li><li><a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/stopping-the-flow-of-fentanyl-public-awareness-and-legislative-solutions" rel="nofollow">Tune in at 10am ET, Thursday, January 11, 2024 (or watch after!)</a></li></ul>

This Week in the Capitol: 1.7.24

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Rachel and Anne talk Congress (why are there two chambers? what do they do for us?), learn that Idaho was a successful trolling of Congress, and put their Senators&#39; and Representative&#39;s numbers in their phones.Do you have another example of Congress getting trolled? Already have your Senators&#39; and Representative&#39;s numbers in your phone? Give us a shout at <a href="mailto:talktalkvote@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">talktalkvote@gmail.com</a>

The United States Congress

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Anne and Rachel talk federalism (we cover all the hot topics here), geek out about congressional records, and explore the federal government&#39;s resource page: <a href="https://www.usa.gov/" rel="nofollow">www.usa.gov</a>.Do you also geek out about old records from 1874? Did you notice when Rachel said &#34;supra-natural&#34; instead of &#34;supranational&#34;? Let us know at <a href="mailto:talktalkvote@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">talktalkvote@gmail.com</a>

Federalism

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Rachel and Anne talk free speech (what exactly is it??), surprising protest songs, and how petitions can have a real impact.Do you have a protest song we didn&#39;t mention? Got a petition you want us to sign? Let us know at <a href="mailto:talktalkvote@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">talktalkvote@gmail.com</a>

Free Speech

a podcast from the League of Women Voters of Kansas City/Jackson, Clay, Platte Counties

Join Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert of Talk Talk Vote! as they discuss current issues and give you the info you need to make your own difference in the world.