As Congress freezes, states take action on abortion rights, marijuana legalization and other top...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/11/08/abortion-rights-marijuana-states-congress-freezes/ [login to see] 7/
If federal leaders are asleep at the wheel this fall, state governments look like they're in the driver’s seat hitting the accelerator.

The U.S. House of Representatives ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., last month. Following the historic move, House Republicans took weeks and rounds of voting to find their replacement in now-Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Amidst the infighting, lawmakers have made little progress on funding the government ahead of a Nov. 17 deadline to avoid a potential shutdown.

Meanwhile, local and state officials have taken the lead with legislation on the issues voters are paying attention to in upcoming races, including gun violence, abortion and education debates.