How senators plan to prevent another January 6

Plus, Italy's prime minister steps down.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Senators push changes to protect future US elections; Italy's prime minister resigns, triggering elections.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin. TOP NEWS Bipartisan legislation to protect future elections  Drew Angerer/Getty Images A bipartisan group of senators have proposed legislation updating the 1887 Electoral Count Act. President Donald Trump's allies tried to use ambiguities in the law to overturn the 2020 election. [New York Times / Carl Hulse] The law outlines the congressional process for certifying electoral votes, and defines the vice president's role as a ceremonial one. [NPR / Barbara Sprunt] Battleground states sent fake electors to challenge the results following the 2020 election. And Trump and his supporters pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn Joe Biden's victory. [CNN / Manu Raju and Clare Foran] The new proposal would make a state's governor responsible for submitting state electors to Congress. It also clarifies that the vice president tallies the votes and can't change the results. [Associated Press / Lisa Mascaro] The new bill would require 20 percent of the House and the Senate (instead of just one senator and one representative) to challenge the election results. It includes a judicial process for presidential candidates to address concerns. [Washington Post / Leigh Ann Caldwell] A second proposal would increase federal penalties for threatening or intimidating election workers, voters, and candidates. It also recommends guidance for states and the US Postal Service on improving mail-in ballot processes. [Roll Call / Chris Cioffi] After months of negotiations, the group of senators — led by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) — could bring the legislation to a full vote this fall. [NBC News / Sahil Kapur] Italy will get a new prime minister Thursday, Italy's President Sergio Mattarella dissolved the country's parliament following the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi. [CNN / Kara Fox, Barbie Latza Nadeau, Nicola Ruotolo, Sharon Braithwaite, and Livia Borghese] In early 2021, Mattarella appointed Draghi prime minister to lead Italy's economic recovery amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But Draghi's coalition government collapsed this week after several parties refused to back him. [AP / Nicole Winfield and Frances D'Emilio] The resignation comes despite support for Draghi from world leaders who see him as a source of stability in Europe and a key ally in supporting Ukraine. [Guardian / Angela Giuffrida] Draghi will remain in a caretaker role until after the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 25. [Wall Street Journal / Eric Sylvers] MISCELLANEOUS Conservationists listed monarch butterflies as endangered, following population declines of at least 20 percent over 10 years. [AP / Christina Larson] President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. He's reportedly experiencing mild symptoms, receiving antiviral treatment, and working in isolation. [Newsweek / Katherine Fung] The House passed legislation establishing the right for people to get and use contraceptives on Thursday. [NBC News / Sahil Kapur] Thursday, the European Central Bank announced it would hike interest rates by 0.5 percent to fight inflation — the first hike in more than a decade. [CNN / Julia Horowitz]   Support our journalism   Reader contributions help keep newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. Give VERBATIM "Every step that is taken to try to minimize those risks going forward is a positive thing. But nobody should be under the illusion that if this thing passes, we're somehow out of the woods." [Rick Hasen, UCLA law professor and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project / Roll Call] LISTEN TO THIS Dry Hot American Summer As the world heats up, the American West is drier than at any period in the past 1,200 years. But don't expect people to stop watering their lawns.   Listen now   ▶ Read more from Vox Europe's gas crisis is here President Biden just tested positive for Covid-19. What happens now? Congress failed on climate. What can Biden do now?   Biden's dismal poll numbers, explained in 9 charts How to fall back in love with reading This email was sent to vox@quicklydone.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.