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Welcome to The Federal Tap
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September 18th, 2021
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Our weekly summary of federal news highlights the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data release and an update on Congress’ reconciliation package. Read all about it in this week’s edition of the Federal Tap. |
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BALLOTPEDIA |
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U.S. Census Bureau releases 2020 census data in easier-to-use format
The U.S. Census Bureau released data from the 2020 census in an easier-to-use format to both the states and the public at data.census.gov on Sept. 16. The Census Bureau also delivered DVDs and flash drives of the data to state legislatures and redistricting authorities. It had previously announced that it would release this summary data by Sept. 30.
The data itself is the same as what the Census Bureau released in a legacy format on Aug. 12, which included demographic information for states, counties, and individual census tracts and blocks.
States have used the data to start redrawing congressional and state legislative district boundaries to reflect the results of the 2020 census.
The Census Bureau was originally scheduled to deliver redistricting data to the states by March 30, but the process was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sixteen states have constitutional deadlines requiring that they complete their legislative redistricting this year, and eight have such deadlines to complete their congressional redistricting.
House Ways and Means Committee advances portions of $3.5 trillion reconciliation package
Thirteen U.S. House committees revised portions of the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package this week. The House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-19 to advance key portions of the measure related to Medicare and tax increases for wealthy individuals and corporations on Sept. 15. Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) joined 18 Republicans in voting against the measure.
The House, which returns from recess on Sept. 20, is considering the reconciliation package alongside the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pledged to hold a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill by Sept. 27 as part of an agreement to gain support from 10 moderate Democrats who called for the infrastructure bill to pass prior to the budget resolution.
Democrats hold a narrow 220-212 majority in the House. If no Republican supports the bill, no more than three Democrats can also oppose it for it to advance.
U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R) not running for re-election in 2022
On Sept. 16, U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R) announced he would not seek re-election in 2022. Gonzalez, who represents Ohio's 16th Congressional District, said his choice to not seek re-election was a result of the current political environment: “Politically the environment is so toxic, especially in our own party right now,” he said. “You can fight your butt off and win this thing, but are you really going to be happy? And the answer is, probably not.”
Gonzalez assumed office in 2019 after defeating Susan Moran Palmer (D) in the 2018 general election with 57% of the vote to Palmer’s 43%. In the 2020 general election, he won re-election against challenger Aaron Godfrey (D) with 63% of the vote to Godfrey’s 37%. Gonzalez was one of 10 House members who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump (R) for incitement of insurrection on Jan. 13, 2021.
As of September 2021, 22 members of Congress—five members of the Senate and 17 members of the House—have announced they will not seek re-election. Twelve members—five senators and seven representatives—have announced their retirement. All five retiring Senate members are Republicans, and of the retiring House members, four are Democrats and three are Republicans.
Ten U.S. House members are running for other offices. Four Republicans and three Democrats are seeking seats in the U.S. Senate, one Republican and one Democrat are running for governor, and one Republican is running for secretary of state. No U.S. Senate members are running for other offices.
Federal government mandates COVID-19 vaccine for immigrants
On Sept. 14, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that foreign residents applying to immigrate to the United States will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as part of the immigration medical examination beginning Oct. 1.
Individuals who cannot provide proof of vaccination would be considered ineligible for a visa.
The mandate does not apply to children under 12, and individuals can request a waiver from the vaccine on religious or moral grounds.
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Upcoming Article III judicial vacancies
According to vacancy data from the U.S. Courts on Sept. 16, there were 31 total announced upcoming vacancies for Article III judgeships. The earliest vacancy announcement was on Dec. 1, 2020, when U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Judge Paul K. Holmes announced that he would assume senior status on Nov. 10, 2021. The most recent was on Sept. 8, 2021, when U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota Judge Susan Richard Nelson announced that she would assume senior status on Dec. 31, 2021.
Eleven vacancy effective dates have not been determined because the judge has not announced the date they will leave the bench. The next upcoming vacancies will occur on Sept. 30, when U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado Judge R. Brooke Jackson assumes senior status and Judge Beverly Martin retires from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
At this point last year, there were 78 federal judicial vacancies and three upcoming vacancies reported by the U.S. Courts.
Are Congress and SCOTUS in session?
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 upcoming 2021-2022 term, click here.
Where was the president last week?
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On Monday, Biden visited the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, delivered remarks on his administration’s response to wildfires in Mather, California, and campaigned for Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in Long Beach City College, California.
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On Tuesday, Biden delivered remarks on combating climate change at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.
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On Wednesday and Thursday, Biden remained in Washington, D.C.
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On Friday, Biden departed Washington, D.C., for Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Federal judiciary
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85 federal judicial vacancies
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21 pending nominations
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32 future federal judicial vacancies
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