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Welcome to The Federal Tap
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May 15, 2021
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Our weekly summary of federal news looks at the CDC's revisions to mask-wearing guidelines for vaccinated people, the runoff election date in Texas’ 6th Congressional District, and one member is sworn in to Congress as another prepares to exit. Read all about it in this week’s edition of the Federal Tap: |
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BALLOTPEDIA |
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CDC approves Pfizer vaccine for children 12-15; lifts recommendation for fully vaccinated individuals to wear masks, social distance in most settings
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amended its mask and social distancing guidance on May 13. The new recommendations say fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks or social distance in most indoor and outdoor public settings, regardless of the number of people gathered.
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The guidance still recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks and social distance at doctor’s offices, hospitals, and long-term care facilities like nursing homes. Masks and distancing are also recommended in congregate settings (like homeless shelters and prisons), when traveling on public transportation (like on planes and buses), and at transportation hubs like airports and bus stations.
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Earlier in the week, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky adopted an advisory committee's recommendation that the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was safe for children 12 to 15 years old. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized children between the ages of 12 and 15 to receive Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine on May 10.
Gov. Greg Abbott sets runoff in Texas' 6th Congressional District for July 27
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that the special runoff election between Susan Wright (R) and Jake Ellzey (R) to fill the vacancy in Texas' 6th Congressional District will take place on July 27. Since both candidates are Republicans, the seat will not change party hands as a result of the election.
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The two advanced from a 23-candidate special election on May 1. Wright received 19.2% of the vote while Ellzey received 13.8% of the vote. Jana Lynne Sanchez (D), the Democratic candidate to receive the most votes, received 13.4% of the vote. She missed qualifying for the runoff by 354 votes.
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The previous incumbent, Ronald Wright (R), died from COVID-19 related complications on Feb. 7. Susan Wright is Ronald Wright's widow. Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed her on April 26. The filing deadline was March 3.
Ohio's U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers to resign on May 16
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Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) is expected to resign from the House of Representatives on May 16 after representing Ohio’s 15th Congressional District since 2011. He announced on April 19 that he would be leaving Congress to become President and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
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Before he was elected to the U.S. House, Stivers served in the Ohio State Senate from 2003 to 2009.
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Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced that the special election to fill the vacancy will be held on November 2, 2021. The primary is on Aug. 3, and the filing deadline is May 17.
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After Stivers’ resignation takes effect, the partisan breakdown of the U.S. House will be 219 Democrats and 211 Republicans, with five vacancies. Ohio’s 15th District was rated Safe Republican during the 2020 general election.
Congress is in session
Both the House and Senate are in session next week. Click here to see the full calendar for the first session of the 117th Congress.
SCOTUS is out of session
The Supreme Court will not hear oral arguments next week. To learn about the 2020-2021 term, click here.
Stefanik replaces Cheney as House Republican conference chair
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The U.S. House Republicans caucus removed Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) as conference chair by a voice vote in a private meeting on May 12. Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans to support the second impeachment of President Donald Trump (R) following the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.
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House Republicans had previously held an unsuccessful vote to remove Cheney in February.
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Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) was elected the new conference chair on May 14 by a vote of 134-46. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, announced a challenge to Stefanik on May 13.
Troy Carter sworn in as member of U.S. House
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Troy Carter (D) was sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives on May 11 to represent Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District. The seat became vacant on Jan. 15 after Cedric Richmond (D) resigned to become a senior adviser to President Biden (D) and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
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Carter defeated fellow Karen Peterson (D) in the special election on April 24, receiving 55.2% of the vote to her 44.8%. Carter and Peterson received the most votes in a special primary election on March 20.
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Before joining Congress, Carter represented District 7 in the Louisiana State Senate from 2016 to 2021. He also served in the Louisiana State House of Representatives and on the New Orleans City Council.
President Biden nominates six additional federal court judges
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President Joe Biden (D) nominated six individuals to Article III judgeships with lifetime terms on May 12:
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Since taking office, Biden has nominated 19 individuals to federal judgeships. Twelve nominees are awaiting a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Seven nominees are awaiting a committee vote. The U.S. Senate has not yet confirmed any Biden nominees.
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At his inauguration in January 2021, President Biden inherited 46 Article III vacancies: two on U.S. appeals courts, 43 on U.S. district courts, and one on the U.S. Court of International Trade. Biden announced his first federal judicial nominees on March 30.
Where was the president last week?
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On Monday through Friday, Biden remained in Washington, D.C.
Federal Judiciary
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81 federal judicial vacancies
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16 pending nominations
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29 future federal judicial vacancies
Ballotpedia’s polling index shows presidential approval at 54%, congressional approval at 26%
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Ballotpedia’s polling index showed President Joe Biden (D) at 54% approval and 41% disapproval as of April 8. His approval rating is up one point from this time last month.
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Biden’s current approval rating is the highest he’s received during his tenure. Biden was last at 54% approval on March 24. The lowest approval rating he has received is 51% on March 29.
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Congressional approval is at 26% and disapproval is at 52%, according to our index. Approval is down one point from this time last month.
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The highest approval rating the 117th Congress has received is 29%, last seen on Feb. 22. The lowest approval rating it has received is 20%, last seen on March 3.
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At this time during the tenure of former President Donald Trump, presidential approval was at 41% and congressional approval was at 12%. To see more comparisons between Biden and Trump administration polling, click here.
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