Good morning! Here’s how Cascadia’s Members of Congress voted on major issues during the legislative week ending Friday, January 22nd, 2021.
In the United States House of Representatives
WAIVER FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Voting 326 for and 78 against, the House on January 21st approved a waiver (H.R. 335) allowing retired Army General Lloyd J. Austin III to serve as secretary of defense even though he has been out of uniform for less than the seven-year hiatus required by law in keeping with the American principle dating to 1783 of civilian control of the military.
Austin retired in April 2016.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D‑California, said: “In my conversations [Austin] assured me he understands, respects and will uphold the critical priority of civilian control of the military… In the face of the many threats both foreign and domestic confronting our nation it is essential that [he] be immediately confirmed.”
Mike Gallagher, R‑Wisconsin, said: “I voted in favor of the exemption for [former Defense] Secretary [James] Mattis… So it’s fair to ask, what has changed? Well, a lot has changed. First, perhaps most importantly, the threat from China is far greater and we need a secretary with Indo-Pacific Command experience. The nominee has admitted he’s not experienced in that regard.”
A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.
 | Voting Aye (1): Republican Representative Russ Fulcher Not Voting (1): Republican Representative Mike Simpson |
 | Voting Aye (5): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader; Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
 | Voting Aye (8): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Cathy McMorris Rodgers Voting Nay (2): Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal and Republican Representative Dan Newhouse |
Cascadia total: 14 aye votes, 2 nay votes, 1 not voting
In the United States Senate
WAIVER FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Voting 69 for and 27 against, the Senate on January 21st joined the House (above) in granting a waiver (H.R. 335) allowing retired Army General Lloyd J. Austin III to serve as secretary of defense even though seven years have not lapsed since his retirement as the law requires in keeping with the American principle dating to 1783 of civilian control of the military. Austin retired in April 2016. There was no debate on the bill.
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Aye (1): Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell Voting Nay (1): Democratic Senator Patty Murray |
Cascadia total: 3 aye votes, 3 nay votes
AVRIL HAINES, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Voting 84 for and 10 against, the Senate on January 20th confirmed Avril D. Haines, fifty-one, as director of national intelligence, elevating her as the first woman to lead the U.S. intelligence community. Created in response to September 11th attacks, her office is charged with overseeing sixteen U.S. civilian and military spy agencies.
An attorney and trained physicist, Haines was deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2013–2015, the first woman to hold that office, and before that a top aide to former President Barack Obama on security issues.
Chris Van Hollen, D‑Maryland, said:
“After a tumultuous four years and a president who routinely scorned the work of our intelligence community, it is critical to restore professional leadership who will work with the administration and Congress, deliver honest assessments and speak truth to power. Ms. Haines is the right woman for the job.”
No senator spoke against the nominee.
A yes vote was to confirm Haines.
| Voting Aye (1): Republican Senator Jim Risch Not Voting (1): Republican Senator Mike Crapo |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 5 aye votes, 1 not voting
LLOYD AUSTIN, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Voting 92 for and 2 against, the Senate on January 22nd confirmed retired Army General Lloyd J. Austin III as secretary of defense. He is the first African-American to hold the position in its seventy-four-year history. When Austin, sixty-seven, retired from active duty in April 2016, he was leader of the United States Central Command.
He was the last commanding general in Iraq between 2010–2011 and directed the drawdown of U.S. troops there.
Dan Sullivan, R‑Alaska, said: “We are living through… a pandemic, racial tensions, riots, turmoil at the top of the Pentagon and rising dangers from China, Russia and Iran. Mr. Austin’s confirmation won’t solve all of these problems, but it will help. He represents the best of America, a man of integrity, humility and character and a wealth of relevant experience.”
No senator spoke against the nominee.
A yes vote was to confirm Austin.
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 6 aye votes
Key votes ahead
The Senate will vote on Biden administration nominees in the week of January 25th, while the House will be in recess.
Editor’s Note: The information in NPI’s weekly How Cascadia’s U.S. lawmakers voted feature is provided by Voterama in Congress, a service of Civic Impulse, LLC. All rights are reserved. Reproduction of this post is not permitted, not even with attribution. Use the permanent link to this post to share it… thanks!
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