Adjacent posts
Ideas for what to read next
Enjoyed what you just read? Make a donation
Thank you for reading The Cascadia Advocate, the Northwest Progressive Institute’s journal of world, national, and local politics.
Founded in March of 2004, The Cascadia Advocate has been helping people throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond make sense of current events with rigorous analysis and thought-provoking commentary for more than fifteen years. The Cascadia Advocate is funded by readers like you and trusted sponsors. We don’t run ads or publish content in exchange for money.
Help us keep The Cascadia Advocate editorially independent and freely available to all by becoming a member of the Northwest Progressive Institute today. Or make a donation to sustain our essential research and advocacy journalism.
Your contribution will allow us to continue bringing you features like Last Week In Congress, live coverage of events like Netroots Nation or the Democratic National Convention, and reviews of books and documentary films.
Sunday, March 12th, 2023
Last Week In Congress: How Cascadia’s U.S. lawmakers voted (March 6th-10th)
Good morning! Here’s how Cascadia’s Members of Congress voted on major issues during the legislative week ending March 10th, 2023.
In the United States House of Representatives
The House chamber (U.S. Congress photo)
REPUBLICAN BILL CONCERNING CENSORSHIP: The House on March 9th passed the “Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act” (H.R. 140), sponsored by Representative James Comer, R‑Kentucky, to bar employees in the executive branch of the federal government from directly or indirectly censoring speech, with penalties imposed if employees censor speech.
Comer said: “Federal officials, no matter their rank or resources, must be prohibited from coercing the private sector to suppress certain information or limit the ability of citizens to freely express their own views on a private-sector Internet platform.” A bill opponent, Representative Daniel S. Goldman, D‑New York, said it would allow Russia, China, and other countries adversarial to the U.S. “to continue using social media platforms unfettered to wreak havoc on our democratic institutions, including the integrity of our elections.”
The vote was 219 yeas to 206 nays.
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Voting Nay (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Voting Nay (7): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland
Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Kim Schrier
Cascadia total: 6 yea votes, 11 nay votes, 1 not voting
VOIDING EPA/CORPS RULE ON WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES: The House on March 9th passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 27), sponsored by Representative Sam Graves, R‑Missouri., to disapprove of and void an Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency rule issued this January that defines Waters of the United States (WOTUS).
Such waters would be subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. Graves said: “Returning to a more costly, burdensome, and broad WOTUS definition could have a massive impact on local communities and Americans’ ability to do their jobs and manage their own private property.”
A resolution opponent, Representative Rick Larsen, D‑Washington, said: “This resolution represents a giant step backward for clean water, increases uncertainty for farmers, homebuilders, roadbuilders, and all American families.”
The vote was 227 yeas to 198 nays.
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Voting Nay (4): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Voting Nay (7): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland
Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Kim Schrier
Cascadia total: 6 yea votes, 11 nay votes, 1 not voting
WOUNDED WARRIOR ACCESS ACT: The House on March 7th passed the Wounded Warrior Access Act (H.R. 1226), sponsored by Representative Pete Aguilar, D‑Calif., to require the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department to make a tool on its website for veterans to make requests for records related to their claims and benefits status at the VA. Aguilar said the current claims filing process is cumbersome and time-consuming, and the website tool would be “a commonsense solution that cuts this red tape and will help American veterans.”
The vote was unanimous with 422 yeas.
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson
Voting Yea (6): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Earl Blumenauer, and Andrea Salinas; Republican Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Voting Yea (9): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Kim Schrier
Cascadia total: 17 yea votes, 1 not voting
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CYBERSECURITY: The House on March 7th passed the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act (H.R. 1123), sponsored by Representative Anna G. Eshoo, D‑California, to require a report on the cybersecurity of mobile telecommunications networks from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Eshoo said the report was needed because “we lack a comprehensive assessment of what vulnerabilities exist on these networks, what issues have been resolved, and where mobile cybersecurity policymaking should be focused.”
The vote was 393 yeas to 22 nays.
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson
Voting Yea (6): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Earl Blumenauer, and Andrea Salinas; Republican Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Voting Yea (9): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Kim Schrier
Cascadia total: 17 yea votes, 1 not voting
REJECTING RESOLUTION TO WITHDRAW U.S. FORCES FROM SYRIA: The House on March 8th rejected a resolution (H. Con. Res. 21), sponsored by Representative Matt Gaetz, R‑Florida, that would have required the withdrawal of all U.S. soldiers from Syria. Gaetz said: “We have tried this time and again to build a democracy out of sand, blood, and Arab militias, and time and again the work we do does not reduce chaos. Oftentimes it causes chaos, the very chaos that then subsequently leads to terrorism.”
An opponent, Representative Michael T. McCaul, R‑Texas, said: “Our small deployment of U.S. servicemembers is remarkably effective at working with local partner forces to achieve results and ensure the enduring and complete defeat of ISIS.” The vote was 103 yeas to 321 nays.
Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson
Voting Yea (3): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, and Val Hoyle
Voting Nay (3): Republican Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer; Democratic Representative Andrea Salinas
Voting Yea (2): Democratic Representatives Rick Larsen and Pramila Jayapal
Voting Nay (7): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Kim Schrier
Cascadia total: 5 yea votes, 12 nay votes, 1 not voting
TREATING VA MEDICAL WASTE: The House on March 8th passed the VA COST SAVINGS Enhancements Act (H.R. 753), sponsored by Representative Mike Bost, R‑Illinois, to require the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department to put regulated medical waste treatment systems at VA health care facilities.
Bost said installing on-site waste incinerators could save the VA tens of millions of dollars per year and “create a safer and cleaner environment at our VA hospitals.”
The vote was unanimous with 426 yeas.
Voting Yea (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson
Voting Yea (6): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Earl Blumenauer, and Andrea Salinas; Republican Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Voting Yea (9): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Kim Schrier
Cascadia total: 17 yea votes, 1 not voting
In the United States Senate
The Senate chamber (U.S. Congress photo)
ROBERT STEWART BALLOU, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Senate on March 7th confirmed the nomination of Robert Stewart Ballou to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. A magistrate judge in the district since 2011, for the previous two decades Ballou had been a private practice lawyer in Virginia. A supporter, Senator Timothy Kaine, D‑Virginia, said: “Judge Ballou enjoys broad and deep support across the Virginia legal community.” The vote was 59 yeas to 37 nays.
Voting Nay (2):
Republican Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 4 yea votes, 2 nay votes
ANDREW SCHOPLER, U.S. DISTRICRT COURT JUDGE: The Senate on March 7th confirmed the nomination of Andrew G. Schopler to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Schopler was a federal prosecutor in the district from 2004 to 2016, then assumed his current role as a magistrate judge in the district. The vote was 56 yeas to 39 nays.
Voting Nay (2):
Republican Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 4 yea votes, 2 nay votes
ARUN SUBRAMANIAN, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Senate on March 7th confirmed the nomination of Arun Subramanian to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Subramanian has been a lawyer at a New York City law firm since 2008, specializing in commercial litigation. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D‑New York, called Subramanian “an expert in consumer protection, with years of experience defending those injured by unfair, illegal practices. He also defended victims of child trafficking and pornography.” The vote was 59 yeas to 37 nays.
Voting Nay (2):
Republican Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 4 yea votes, 2 nay votes
VOIDING CHANGES TO D.C. CRIMINAL CODE: The Senate on March 8th passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 26), sponsored by Representative Andrew S. Clyde, R‑Georgia, to disapprove of and void a Washington, D.C., Council law that made various changes to the District’s criminal laws, including reducing punishments and expanding the right to a jury trial for misdemeanor cases.
A supporter, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R‑Kentucky, said the D.C. law was “going even softer on crime and putting violent convicts back on the streets even more rapidly” even as crime rates have climbed to high levels.
An opponent, Senator Chris Van Hollen, D‑Maryland, said: “Congress should not be overriding the will of the people of D.C. as reflected in their elected representatives.” The vote was 81 yeas to 14 nays.
Voting Yea (1): Republican Senator Mike Crapo
Not Voting (1): Republican Senator Jim Risch
Voting Yea (1): Democratic Senator Ron Wyden
Voting Nay (1): Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 4 yea votes, 1 nay vote, 1 not voting
DANIEL WERFEL, IRS COMMISSIONER: The Senate on March 9th confirmed the nomination of Daniel Werfel to be Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner for a term ending in late 2027.
Werfel was the IRS’s acting commissioner late in the Obama administration, and previously was the Office of Management and Budget’s controller.
For the last nine years he has been at the Boston Consulting Group. A supporter, Senator Ron Wyden, D‑Oregon, said Werfel would “bring transparency to the job. That includes how the IRS will spend funding to improve taxpayer services, upgrade information technology, and crack down on those wealthy tax cheats.”
An opponent, Senator Marsha Blackburn, R‑Tenn., said Werfel’s answers to inquiries about his nomination “did little to inspire confidence in his willingness to take back control of this agency” and stop what Blackburn called harassing audits of taxpayers. The vote was 54 yeas to 42 nays.
Voting Nay (1): Republican Senator Mike Crapo
Not Voting (1): Republican Senator Jim Risch
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 4 yea votes, 1 nay vote, 1 not voting
JAMES SIMMONS, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Senate on March 9th confirmed the nomination of James Simmons to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern California. A county court judge in San Diego since 2017, Simmons was previously a prosecutor for the California government there.
The vote was 51 yeas to 43 nays.
Voting Nay (1): Republican Senator Mike Crapo
Not Voting (1): Republican Senator Jim Risch
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 4 yea votes, 1 nay vote, 1 not voting
MARIA ARAUJO KAHN, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Senate on March 9th confirmed the nomination of Maria Araujo Kahn to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Since 2006, Kahn has successively been a county superior court, state appeals court, and state supreme court judge in Connecticut; previously, she was an assistant U.S. attorney in the state.
The vote was 51 yeas to 42 nays.
Not Voting (2):
Republican Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
Voting Yea (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 4 yea votes, 2 not voting
Key votes ahead
The House is in recess and will not meet for floor votes this week.
The Senate will reconvene on Tuesday and consider the nomination of Brent Neiman, of Illinois, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury. Additional votes on nominations or legislative items are possible.
Editor’s Note: The information in NPI’s weekly How Cascadia’s U.S. lawmakers voted feature is provided by Targeted News Service. 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!
© 2023 Targeted News Service, LLC.
# Written by Targeted News Service :: 7:30 AM
Categories: Legislative Advocacy, Series & Special Reports
Tags: Last Week In Congress, U.S. House Roll Call Votes, U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes
Comments and pings are currently closed.