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2017

Rising Tensions with North Korea: A Timeline
Sept. 5, 2017, 9:59 p.m.

From "fire and fury", to "locked and loaded", and most recently "All options are on the table", the President has had some tough and controversial words for Kim Jong-Un and North Korea after several Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) tests and now a hydrogen bomb test. Some critics worry that these words have worsened the rising tensions with North Korea; other critics simply worry that Twitter may not be the best outlet to issue these statements. Those who defend him feel that Trump’s words should reflect North Korea’s actions.

While members of Congress have debated the President’s statements, sanctions on North Korea have been strongly supported in both the Capitol and the White House in 2017. Following nuclear tests, the death of Otto Warmbier, and sanctions on North Korea, we’ve seen that tensions between the US and North Korea have only continued to snowball.   


This snowball has been rolling for far longer than 2017, however--while Americans threw literal snowballs celebrating New Year’s Day, Kim Jong-un issued a statement about his nuclear plans--setting the tone for the rest of the year. Skip forward 6 months and several missile tests and we arrive at another holiday--the 4th of July. As Americans launched fireworks in their backyards, North Korea celebrated by testing its first ICBM.


To visualize the series of events that followed, we have compiled a timeline below outlining the rising tensions between the US and North Korea since the launch and the statements made and actions taken as a result.

Political Research Wrap-Up: Republicans win five of the seven races in June, Trump talks foreign policy.
July 10, 2017, 7:21 p.m.

 Republicans win five of the seven races in June, seats remain virtually unchanged. President Trump talks foreign policy.

2016

Daily Fantasy Sports Regulation in State Legislatures
Aug. 18, 2016, 4:40 p.m.

Daily fantasy sports is a concept that is as tricky to say as it is to understand.  It exists in a legal gray area that has remained unregulated for years.  Recently, after several scandals that brought widespread public attention, legislators have attempted to define and regulate the practice.  

Legislative Recap: Tobacco Restrictions
July 28, 2016, 2:07 p.m.

In the past year and a half, several states have passed laws changing the age at which one can legally smoke cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Marijuana, States and Presidential Nominees
July 20, 2016, 2:31 p.m.

The legislative year of 2016 has seen a multitude of bills passed that authorizes the use of marijuana in many states.

Getting to the Core of Common Core
June 1, 2016, 2:11 p.m.

Heard of Common Core, but not sure what it is? Curious about how states receive federal funding for education? Below, we break down this hot-button issue, and provide the 2016 presidential candidates’ stances towards Common Core......

2014

2014 Voter Self-Defense Manual Release
Sept. 30, 2014, 7:43 p.m.

Vote Smart announced today that the 2014 Voter’s Self-Defense Manual is available free to all voters by simply calling 888-VoteSmart or emailing membership@votesmart.org.

Revolutionizing Transparency in Government through Technology
Sept. 15, 2014, 8:17 p.m.

Today, Vote Smart announces the unveiling of its powerful new tools that provide every citizen interactive, instant access to the facts on any politician, on any issue, at any time.

Charity Navigator 4 Star Rating
Sept. 5, 2014, 9:07 p.m.

 Vote Smart’s Great Divide Research Center reported today that its member contributions have increased in 2014 by 81%, and that it has gotten Charity Navigator’s highest four star rating. 

August Common Ground E-Newsletter
Aug. 20, 2014, 9:32 p.m.

Sign up for our monthly E-Newsletter here.

Vote Smart Magic is Almost Here!
Aug. 8, 2014, 9:47 p.m.

We are only a few weeks away from announcing the biggest event in Vote Smart history.  It will transform the way you use our data and the way you view candidates and elections in the future. 

July Common Ground E-Newsletter
July 21, 2014, 9:51 p.m.

Sign up for our monthly E-Newsletter here

June Common Ground E-Newsletter
June 12, 2014, 10:09 p.m.

Sign up for our monthly E-Newsletter here

2013

Elections Aren't Just for Even Numbered Years
Nov. 6, 2013, 1:22 a.m.

It's Election Day! Well, for many of you it is.

April Common Ground E-Newsletter
April 26, 2013, 6:25 p.m.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter here...

Hotdish #1: The Bachmann Recipe
April 26, 2013, 4:59 p.m.

What comes to mind when you think of Minnesota? Hockey? Lakes? Maybe the movie “Grumpy Old Men”? How about Hotdishes?

Sen. Max Baucus will not be seeking reelection in 2014
April 23, 2013, 6:13 p.m.

As of this morning, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.,has joined an increasingly long list of senators that will not seek reelection in 2014.

Bipartisanship – Topped with Cheese and Baked at 350, for About 45 Minutes
April 22, 2013, 6:32 p.m.

We here at Project Vote Smart often lament the lack of civility in Congress and in state legislatures across this nation.

Developing Instantly Gratifying Data-base Visualizations
March 8, 2013, 11:27 p.m.

For over a decade Vote Smart worked at various methods of building the Voter’s Self-Defense System.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Bullying in Schools
Jan. 25, 2013, 7:05 p.m.

Throughout the past decade there has been a national trend of legislation on bullying.

2012

December Common Ground E-Newsletter
Dec. 14, 2012, 10:33 p.m.

Click here to sign up for our monthly Common Ground E-Newsletter...

Kimball - Vote Smart Members' Report
Dec. 12, 2012, 11:36 p.m.


Love the Work Vote Smart Does? Be a Part of It!
Dec. 1, 2012, 2:47 a.m.

Are you a student or recent graduate interested in contributing to Project Vote Smart's mission of providing factual, free and unbiased information on your elected officials? Then our National Internship Program is for you! 

Candidates Flunk 20-Year Study of Political Courage
Oct. 29, 2012, 8:07 p.m.

A  20-year study of over 15,000 congressional candidates and their willingness to answer questions on the major issues

VoteEasy Tool Launched in Michigan
Oct. 18, 2012, 7:43 p.m.

April Common Ground E-Newsletter
April 24, 2012, 2:45 p.m.

Sign up now to receive a copy of this monthly publication.

2011

'Supercommittee' misses deadline
Nov. 22, 2011, 8:19 p.m.

The U.S. Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was established with the goal of improving both the short and long term financial outlook of the US and reducing the deficit “...by at least $1,500,000,000 over the period of fiscal years 2012 to 2021” But they missed their deadline...

2009

It's About Time
Aug. 21, 2009, 4:41 a.m.

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