Good morning! Here’s how Cascadia’s Members of Congress voted on major issues during the legislative week ending December 2nd, 2022.
In the United States House of Representatives
LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING: The House on November 29th rejected the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (S. 4003), sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, R‑Texas. The bill would have the Justice Department develop training and grant programs for law enforcement departments to adopt alternative responses to individuals in a mental, behavioral health, or suicidal crisis.
A supporter, Representative Jerrold Nadler, D‑New York, said: “Reforms to law enforcement, including deescalation training, both improve public safety and reduce crime.” An opponent, Representative Thomas P. Tiffany, R‑Wisconsin, said the programs were a soft-on-crime approach to law enforcement, and “in recent years, these kinds of approaches to fighting crime have been a boon to criminals and have led to our current crime epidemic.”
The vote was 247 yeas to 160 nays, with two-thirds required for approval.
 | 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 (8): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers Not Voting (1): Republican Representative Dan Newhouse |
Cascadia total: 13 aye votes, 3 nay votes, 1 not voting
CRACK COCAINE SENTENCES: The House has passed the Terry Technical Correction Act (H.R. 5455), sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D‑Texas, to make all those convicted of crack cocaine offenses eligible for retroactive reductions of their sentences under the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act. Lee said that by supplanting a Supreme Court ruling that disallowed such sentencing reductions, the bill would help “eradicate the devastating consequences of the poorly conceived War on Drugs.” The vote, on Nov. 29, was 307 yeas to 101 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 (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 Not Voting (1): Republican Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler |
Cascadia total: 14 aye votes, 2 nay votes, 1 not voting
RAILROAD LABOR DISPUTE: The House on November 30th passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 100), sponsored by Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr., D‑N.J., to require that U.S. railroads and several rail worker unions accept labor agreements that include wage and benefit increases. Payne said of the need for the resolution: “The failure to prevent a rail stoppage would be irresponsible as it would have devastating consequences on our economy and everyday American life.” The vote was 290 yeas to 137 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 (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: 15 aye votes, 2 nay votes
DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA: The House on December 1st passed the Uyghur Policy Act (H.R. 4785), sponsored by Representative Young Kim, R‑California, to require the State Department to expand its activities on behalf of Uyghurs and other minority groups living in China’s Xinjiang region. Kim called the bill “a significant step in defending the human rights of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities subject to the CCP’s oppression and genocide.”
The vote was 407 yeas to 17 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
DOULAS AND THE MILITARY: The House on December 1st passed the Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act (H.R. 2521), sponsored by Representative Brenda L. Lawrence, D‑Michigan, to institute a five-year pilot program at the Veterans Affairs Department for providing doula services to pregnant veterans. Lawrence said: “As the use of doula services continue to grow, we must look at ways to expand maternal health services for our women in the VA.” The vote was 376 yeas to 44 nays.
| Voting Aye (1): Republican Representative Mike Simpson Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Russ Fulcher |
| 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: 16 aye votes, 1 nay vote
COMMUNITY REENTRY: The House on December 1st passed the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act (H.R. 3372), sponsored by Representative Karen Bass, D‑California, to authorize Justice Department grants to local governments and nonprofit groups for assisting the integration of ex-convicts into communities after their release. A bill supporter, Representative David N. Cicilline, D‑Rhode Island, said it “will help people who are exiting the criminal justice system effectively get back on their feet.” An opponent, Representative Jim Jordan, R‑Ohio, said the bill was redundant and wasteful, and would allow violent criminals to work at the community reentry facilities.
The vote was 259 yeas to 167 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 Jaime Herrera Beutler and Dan Newhouse Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Cascadia total: 13 aye votes, 4 nay votes
PREGNANCIES IN PRISON: The House on December 1st passed the Pregnant Women in Custody Act (H.R. 6878), sponsored by Representative Karen Bass, D‑Calif., to require that the federal government’s prisons provide adequate pregnancy and childbirth services to incarcerated women. A supporter, Rep. Lois Frankel, D‑Florida, said it “will strengthen and promote the health and safety of pregnant inmates, providing a national standard of care allowing children to have the opportunities they deserve.” The vote was 324 yeas to 90 nays.
| Voting Aye (1): Republican Representative Mike Simpson Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Russ Fulcher |
| 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: 16 aye votes, 1 nay vote
HOME VISITS FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS: The House on December 2nd passed the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8876), sponsored by Representative Danny K. Davis, D‑Illinois, to reauthorize through fiscal 2027, and make changes, including an increase in funding, for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. Davis said the bill, by increasing home visit resources for expectant parents at risk for poor maternal and child health, would “make a real difference for children and families across America.” The vote was 390 yeas to 26 nays.
| Voting Aye (1): Republican Representative Mike Simpson Voting Nay (1): Republican Representative Russ Fulcher |
| 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: 16 aye votes, 1 nay vote
In the United States Senate
REPEALING DOMA: The Senate on November 29th passed the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404), sponsored by Representative Jerrold Nadler, D‑New York, to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and instead federally recognize any marriage authorized under a state’s marriage laws, and require states to similarly recognize marriages in other states.
A supporter, Senator Tammy Baldwin, D‑Wisconsin, called the bill a chance to “give millions of people in same-sex and interracial marriages the certainty, dignity, and respect they need and deserve.”
A bill opponent, Senator James Lankford, R‑Oklahoma, said it “will put the issue of religious liberty at great risk for millions of Americans who” do not support same-sex marriage. The vote was 61 yeas to 36 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 4 aye votes, 2 nay votes
REJECTING REPUBLICAN AMENDMENT TO RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT: The Senate on November 29th rejected an amendment sponsored by Senator Mike Lee, R‑Utah, to the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404). The amendment would have barred the federal government from taking discriminatory action against people who believe marriage is a union of one man and one woman. Lee said the amendment was needed to protect religious groups that “are being targeted and harassed by those who would force them to abandon their convictions and embrace the convictions preferred by the government.”
The vote was 48 yeas to 49 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Nay (2): |
Cascadia total: 2 aye votes, 4 nay votes
RAILROAD LABOR DISPUTE: The Senate on December 1st passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 100), sponsored by Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr., D‑New Jersey, to require that U.S. railroads and several rail worker unions accept labor agreements that include wage and benefit increases.
A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D‑New York, said: “The consequences of inaction would be severe: unsafe drinking water, unusable gasoline, shuttered power plants, and a crippling shutdown of passenger rail across the country.” The vote was 80 yeas to 15 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (1): Democratic Senator Ron Wyden Voting Nay (1): Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 5 aye votes, 1 nay vote
CAMILLE L. VELEZ-RIVE, DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Senate on November 30th confirmed the nomination of Camille L. Velez-Rive to be a judge on the U.S. district court for Puerto Rico. Velez-Rive has been a magistrate judge on the court since 2004, and before that, was a federal prosecutor in Puerto Rico. The vote was 55 yeas to 42 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 4 aye votes, 2 nay votes
ANNE NARDACCI, DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Senate on November 30th confirmed the nomination of Anne M. Nardacci to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. Nardacci has been a private practice lawyer at firms in New York City, then Albany, since 2002. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D‑New York, called Nardaccci “the kind of bread-and-butter candidate that Upstate New Yorkers like, and she has built a career taking on special interests.” The vote was 52 yeas to 44 nays.
| Voting Nay (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 4 aye votes, 2 nay votes
ROBERT STORCH, MILITARY INSPECTOR GENERAL: The Senate on November 30th confirmed the nomination of Robert Storch to be the Defense Department’s Inspector General. Storch has been the National Security Agency’s Inspector General since early 2018, and previously was an official in the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General, and a federal prosecutor.
The vote was 92 yeas to 3 nays.
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
| Voting Aye (2): |
Cascadia total: 6 aye votes
Key votes ahead
The House is expected to give final approval to the Respect for Marriage Act, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk, and vote on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA) as well as the EAGLE Act of 2022 and the Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022, among other bills.
The Senate plans to vote on judicial nominations. Nominees for district court judgeships in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana will be considered.
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