- US Senator
- US House Representative (Congressperson)
- PA Governor
- PA Lieutenant Governor
- PA Senator (NOTE: These officials serve 4-year terms, so your Senator may or may not be up for reelection in 2022)
- PA State Representative
What’s on the ballot in 2022 and WHY should I care?
|
Position |
What They Do |
Why Should I Care? |
|
US
Senator |
●
Sponsor, vote on, or block new laws such as
the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, Gun Safety laws, Policing Reform laws, and
Reproductive Rights laws (i.e, protecting a woman’s
right to choose) ●
Confirm the President’s appointees such as
Supreme Court Justices ●
Provide advice and consent to ratify
treaties |
●
The Senate currently has a tie (50
Republicans and 50 Democrats), making it difficult to pass laws that the
House writes, and even laws the majority of Americans want ●
Some laws require 60 Senate votes to pass,
so when a majority of Senators are of the same Party as the President, it’s
easier to pass critically needed new laws |
|
US House
Representative (Congressperson) |
●
Sponsor or write new Laws or modify existing
ones ●
In charge of the Federal Budget (taxes,
borrowing, spending) ●
Has Oversight authority of the Executive
Branch ●
Can Impeach federal officials who break the
law or their oath of office ●
Elect the President in the case of an
Electoral College tie |
●
They vote on things important to me (Voting
and Civil rights, Healthcare, Social Services, Immigration, Gun Safety,
Abortion access, Family Leave, etc.) ●
Help me access Federal money such as Covid 19 relief, Social Security and Veteran’s benefits ●
Currently investigating and sharing the
story of the Jan 6th Insurrection to inform voters and prevent
this from happening again |
|
PA
Governor |
●
Implement laws passed by the PA legislature ●
Appoint the PA “Secretary of State”, the
person in charge of our Election process in Pennsylvania ●
Declare a State of Emergency during
disasters or pandemics ●
Command the State’s National Guard |
●
Has Veto power over bad legislation (such as
dropping all gun licensing requirements, making abortion illegal even for
incest, rape or the health of the mother, or eliminating Vote by Mail – all
recently passed or proposed by some candidates running for office this year) ●
Proposes the State budget, which includes
public school funding, tax rates, gas taxes, etc. |
|
PA
Lieutenant Governor |
●
President of the State Senate ●
Chair the state Board of Pardons ●
Chair the state Emergency Counsel |
●
Reviews all pleas for criminal pardons in
the state ●
Establishes policy for managing emergencies
in PA |
|
PA
State Senator |
● Work
with the State House of Representatives to create and pass bills (laws) on
Public Policy matters in PA ● Set
levels for PA spending ● Raise
and lower PA taxes ● Can
override the Governor’s Veto on legislation with a 2/3rds majority |
●
Write or amend laws that impact my family
and community, such as fair school funding, rules for police conduct, and
ensuring clean water and air ●
Authorize funding for public services such
as Firefighters, Emergency Medical services, public schools, and Covid 19 grant relief |
|
PA
State House Representative |
●
Work with the State Senate to create and
pass bills (laws) on Public Policy matters that represent local concerns of
constituents |
●
Help me access VA benefits, addiction
treatment, housing, and mental health services ●
Pass public health and safety laws |