Good morning! Here’s how Cascadia’s Members of Congress voted on major issues during the legislative week ending September 30th, 2022.
In the United States House of Representatives
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS: The House on September 30th gave final approval to a bill that keeps the federal government open and funded through mid-December, along with making appropriations for disaster recovery and supporting Ukraine. The bill was signed by President Joe Biden several hours later.
The Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 “addresses key priorities,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a press conference.
“$12.3 billion for the fight for democracy in Ukraine. $4.5 billion for disaster relief for New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Florida and Alaska and other communities. An additional – as I said – 18.9, almost $19 billion, for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund – some of that needed right away for Iran – [Hurricane] Ian, but more will be needed. And then a billion dollars to help working families pay higher energy bills. And $20 million to respond to the water needs in Mississippi, in Jackson, Mississippi.”
The vote was 230 yeas to 201 nays. Alaska’s at-large vote was cast in favor of the resolution by new U.S. Representative Mary Peltola, D‑Alaska. Ten Republicans also voted yea, mostly from blue states or battleground states.
 | Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
 | Voting Aye (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
 | Voting Aye (7): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland Voting Nay (3): Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 11 aye votes, 6 nay votes
NEW AVIATION CENTER: The House on September 28th passed the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act (H.R. 3482), sponsored by Representative Andre Carson, D‑Indiana, to create the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation, which would be an enterprise for improving partnerships between military and civil aviation and aerospace parties. Carson said the Center was intended to address the problem that “innovation and lessons learned in various aviation sectors have not been shared in a collaborative or even a timely manner, especially considering rapid developments in new technology.”
The vote was 369 yeas to 56 nays.
| Voting Aye (1): Republican Representative Mike Simpson Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Russ Fulcher |
| Voting Aye (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (10): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 14 aye votes, 2 nay votes
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS ACT: The House on September 29th passed the Mental Health Matters Act (H.R. 7780), sponsored by Representative Mark DeSaulnier, D‑California, to create federal grant programs to fund schools’ provision of mental health services and bar certain provisions in employer-sponsored benefit plans that restrict mental health care coverage.
The vote was 220 yeas to 205 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (7): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Cathy McMorris Rodgers Not Voting (1): Republican Representative Dan Newhouse |
Cascadia total: 11 aye votes, 5 nay votes, 1 not voting
INCREASING MERGER FILING FEES: The House on September 29th passed the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act (H.R. 3843), sponsored by Representative Joe Neguse, D‑Colorado, to increase the fees for companies filing applications for approval by federal regulators of proposed large mergers, and index the fees to the rate of inflation. The vote was 242 yeas to 184 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (7): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland Voting Nay (3): Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 13 aye votes, 4 nay votes
INFECTIOUS DISEASE PLANNING: The House on September 29th passed the Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act (H.R. 8466), sponsored by Representative Gerald E. Connolly, D‑Virginia. The bill would establish a requirement for all federal government agencies to make plans for infectious diseases that prompt a nationwide public health emergency.
Connolly said: “Federal agencies must place the health and safety of federal employees at the forefront of their plans and operations while continuing to provide vital services to the public, ensuring continuity of operations.”
The vote was 351 yeas to 73 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (5): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader; Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (10): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 17 aye votes
BOLSTERING TOURISM: The House on September 29th passed the Visit America Act (H.R. 6965), sponsored by Representative Dina Titus, D‑Nevada. The bill would require the Commerce Department to make a ten year plan for increasing the amount of foreign tourism into the U.S., and create an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, with duties that include promoting such tourism. The vote was 325 yeas to 93 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (9): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Cathy McMorris Rodgers Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Rick Larsen |
Cascadia total: 13 aye votes, 3 nay votes, 1 not voting
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ABROAD: The House on September 29th passed the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 7321), sponsored by Representative Peter A. DeFazio, D‑Oregon. The bill would establish Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worker certification and reporting and inspection requirements for foreign facilities that repair U.S. aircraft.
A supporter, Representative Andre Carson, D‑Indiana, said the bill “will correct the FAA’s unacceptably lax oversight of foreign aeronautical repair stations that work on U.S. airline fleets and help increase the safety of our global aviation system.”
The vote was 374 yeas to 52 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (5): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader; Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (10): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 17 aye votes
FOOD AID AND VETERANS: The House on September 29th passed the Food Security for All Veterans Act (H.R. 8888), sponsored by new Representative Mary Sattler Peltola, D‑Alaska, to establish an Office of Food Security at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Office would give veterans information about possible enrollment in federal nutrition assistance programs.
Peltola said: “There is nothing more important than ensuring our veterans and their families can enjoy a safe and healthy life after their service for our country.”
The vote was 376 yeas to 49 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (5): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader; Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (10): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 17 aye votes
PROTECTING THE GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLY: The House on September 29th passed the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8446), sponsored by Representative Betty McCollum, D‑Minnesota, to reauthorize through fiscal 2028 the federal government’s Global Food Security Strategy effort to improve food availability overseas. McCollum said the effort helped “millions of people in the world’s poorest countries become self-sufficient in feeding themselves.”
The vote was 331 yeas to 95 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (5): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader; Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (10): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 15 aye votes, 2 nay votes
MCC AID EXPANSION: The House passed the Millennium Challenge Corporation Eligibility Expansion Act (H.R. 8463), sponsored by Representative Joaquin Castro, D‑Texas. The bill would expand the number of countries eligible for receiving aid from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an independent federal agency that sends grant money to developing countries.
Castro said the expanded eligibility would “ensure that the MCC will continue its important work and maximize its impact fighting poverty and promoting development.” The vote was 334 yeas to 87 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (5): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader; Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (9): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Dan Newhouse Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 16 aye votes, 1 nay vote
MULTI-BILL PACKAGE: The House on September 29th passed a motion sponsored by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D‑Maryland, to pass en bloc, without a separate roll call vote on each bill, twelve different bills, and also agree to the Senate amendment to the Small Project Efficient and Effective Disaster Recovery Act (H.R. 5641). The vote was 296 yeas to 127 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson |
| Voting Aye (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cliff Bentz |
| Voting Aye (9): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler |
Cascadia total: 13 aye votes, 4 nay votes
In the United States Senate
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS: The Senate on September 29th passed the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6833, above), sponsored by Representative Angie Craig, D‑Minnesota, to provide continuing appropriations for government spending through December 16th, and add $12.3 billion of aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, as well as increase funding for disaster response programs.
The vote was 72 yeas to 25 nays.
A yes vote was to send the bill back to the House, where it originated.
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 4 aye votes, 2 nay votes
ARIANNA FREEMAN, APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate on September 29th approved, upon reconsideration, the nomination of Arianna Freeman to be a judge on the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Freeman has been a federal community defender attorney in Philadelphia since 2009. A supporter, Senator Bob Casey, D‑Pennsylvania, cited Freeman’s “extensive legal experience, keen intellect, and dedication to the principles of fairness and equal justice.”
The vote was 50 yeas to 47 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 4 aye votes, 2 nay votes
LISA GOMEZ, ASSISTANT LABOR SECRETARY: The Senate on September 29th approved, upon reconsideration, the nomination of Lisa M. Gomez to be the Labor Department’s Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security.
Gomez has, since 1994, been an employee benefits lawyer, most recently as a partner at a New York City law firm. A supporter, Sen. Patty Murray, D‑Washington, said Gomez would “fight to hold employers accountable to the law, ensure workers get the benefits they are owed, and protect families’ financial security.” The vote was 49 yeas to 36 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 4 aye votes, 2 nay votes
LWIC will be on hiatus next Sunday
The House and Senate will be in recess this week to allow members to campaign in their home states or districts prior to the conclusion of the midterms.
The Senate is expected to reconvene briefly on October 11th to work on the National Defense Authorization Act.
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