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Sunday, April 30th, 2023
Last Week In Congress: How Cascadia’s U.S. lawmakers voted (April 24th-28th)
Good morning! Here’s how Cascadia’s Members of Congress voted on major issues during the legislative week ending April 28th, 2023.
In the United States House of Representatives
The House chamber (U.S. Congress photo)
“DEFAULT ON AMERICA” ACT: The House on April 26th passed the Republican-named “Limit, Save, Grow Act” (H.R. 2811), sponsored by Representative Jodey C. Arrington, R‑Texas. The bill would suspend the federal debt limit until spring 2024 and make numerous spending and policy changes, including rescinding unobligated funding for COVID and Internal Revenue Service programs, establishing work requirements for Medicaid and food stamp programs, and reducing subsidies for electric vehicles and energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Arrington called the bill’s $4.8‑trillion spending cut “an important first step to getting our fiscal house in order and a good faith effort to bring the president to the negotiating table” for budget talks.
An opponent, Representative Brendan F. Boyle, D‑Pennsylvania, said the bill made risky cuts to public safety, health, and food programs, and represented “reckless brinkmanship” by raising doubts about whether the U.S. will pay its debt obligations. The vote was 217 yeas to 215 nays.
A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.
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 (8): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland
Cascadia total: 6 yea votes, 12 nay votes
CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF MARK SWIDAN: The House on April 25th passed a resolution (H. Res. 90), sponsored by Representative Michael Cloud, R‑Texas, to demand that China’s government immediately release from prison Mark Swidan, a U.S. citizen whom China sentenced to death in 2012 after being convicted of drug trafficking charges.
Cloud said Swidan has been severely mistreated while in prison, and that “no drugs were ever found on Swidan or in his hotel room, and the prosecution did not produce any evidence tying him to the drugs.”
The vote was unanimous with 418 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 (10): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Cascadia total: 18 yea votes
ENCOURAGING EXPANSION OF ABRAHAM ACCORDS: The House on April 25th passed a resolution (H. Res. 311), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R‑Mo., to encourage Middle East countries to join the Abraham Accords for improving relations between Israel and neighboring countries.
Wagner said: “Israel is a force for peace and a beacon of democracy in a challenging region. At a time of heightened anti-Semitism across the globe, it is more important than ever that we maintain our strong connection to this very key ally.” The vote was 401 yeas to 19 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, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Voting Nay (1): Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal
Cascadia total: 17 yea votes, 1 nay vote
IMPROVING EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS: The House on April 26th passed the Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications Parity Act (H.R. 1353), sponsored by Rep. Bill Johnson, R‑Ohio.
The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take measures to improve emergency communications services, such as 9–1‑1 calls, in areas of the country that lack adequate services. Johnson said the bill would help “ensure everyone has access to critical lifesaving emergency services regardless of where they live or travel.” The vote was 422 yeas to 1 nay.
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, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representative Dan Newhouse
Not Voting (1): Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Cascadia total: 17 yea votes, 1 not voting
UPDATING REGULATIONS TO ENABLE PRECISION AGRICULTURE: The House on April 26th passed the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act (H.R. 1339), sponsored by Representative Robert E. Latta, R‑Ohio, to require the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate potential changes to its rules governing the use of satellites to enable precision agriculture practices. Latta said of the benefit of such changes: “Farmers use information in real time to make smarter decisions on how to optimize inputs and whether and when to plant or harvest. When terrestrial or cellular networks are not available, satellite broadband steps in to make these technologies work.” The vote was 409 yeas to 11 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, Kim Schrier, and Adam Smith; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Not Voting (1): Democratic Representative Marilyn Strickland
Cascadia total: 17 yea votes, 1 not voting
FAILED ATTEMPT TO INSIST ON WITHDRAWAL FROM SOMALIA: The House on April 27th rejected a resolution (H. Con. Res. 30), sponsored by Representative Matt Gaetz, R‑Florida, that would have ordered the removal of U.S. soldiers stationed in Somalia within one year. Gaetz said: “I have yet to see the evidence that U.S. troops are the essential element to fusing relationships among warring African warlords, clans, and tribes” and succeed in stabilizing Somalia.
An opponent, Representative Richard McCormick, R‑Georgia, voiced concerns that if the U.S. military leaves Somalia, “we will have an increase in terrorist activities” and therefore an increased threat to U.S. security.
The vote was 102 yeas to 321 nays.
Voting Nay (2): Republican Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson
Voting Yea (1): Democratic Representative Val Hoyle
Voting Nay (5): Democratic Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, and Andrea Salinas; Republican Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Voting Yea (2): Democratic Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
Voting Nay (8): Democratic Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland; Republican Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Cascadia total: 3 yea votes, 15 nay votes
In the United States Senate
The Senate chamber (U.S. Congress photo)
EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT: Voting 51 for and 47 against, the Senate on April 27th failed to reach 60 votes needed to advance a measure (SJ Res 4) aimed at pushing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) closer to ratification into the Constitution. The resolution sought to replace a 1982 deadline for states to vote on ratification with an open-ended ratification period.
This potentially would validate ratification votes by Nevada, Illinois and Virginia that occurred after 1982 but leave unresolved the status of ratification votes by five states during the 1970s that they have since rescinded.
The ERA states: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Ben Cardin, D‑Maryland, said ERA ratification is needed because “there are still systemic challenges based upon sex in our workplace, in health care and domestic violence.” No senator spoke against this attempt to advance the ERA.
A yes vote was to clear the way for ERA ratification.
Editor’s Note: This Equal Rights Amendment vote summary was provided by VoteFacts.com News Reports, a strictly nonpartisan, fact-based news site whose mission is to help civic minded individuals and organizations track the most consequential and newsworthy issues debated in the U.S. House and Senate in the 117th Congress (2021–2022) and 118th Congress (2023–2024).
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
JOSHUA DAVID JACOBS, VA UNDERSECRETARY: The Senate on April 26th confirmed the nomination of Joshua David Jacobs to be the Veterans Affairs Department’s Under Secretary for Benefits. Jacobs is currently a senior benefits management advisory official at the VA, and was in a similar role at the VA during the Obama administration. A supporter, Senator Patty Murray, D‑Washington, said Jacobs’ experience at the VA “shows his deep commitment to serving those who served our nation and why he is such a strong fit and trusted choice for this role.”
The vote was 74 yeas to 25 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 ANOTHER EPA RULE: The Senate on April 26th passed a resolution (S.J. Res. 11), sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer, R‑Nebraska, to disapprove of and void an Environmental Protection Agency rule limiting nitrogen oxide air emissions from heavy-duty engines. Fischer said: “The technology required to meet this new rule’s standards will cost between approximately $2,500 and $8,500 per vehicle. This means that many truckers will choose to keep their old heavy-duty vehicles, which do have higher rates of emissions, instead of buying vehicles that are both affordable and more climate-conscious.”
A resolution opponent, Senator Alex Padilla, D‑California, said: “For the sake of clean air, for the sake of our environment, and for the sake of the health of all communities across the country, I urge you to oppose this repeal.”
The vote, on April 26, was 50 yeas to 49 nays. The resolution was able to pass thanks to the absence of Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and the defection of Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
Voting Yea (2):
Republican Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo
Voting Nay (2):
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
Voting Nay (2):
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray
Cascadia total: 2 yea votes, 4 nay votes
Key votes ahead
The House will be in recess this week, with no floor votes expected.
The Senate will be in session and working on judicial nominations.
Votes are expected to confirm Michael Farbiarz and Robert Kirsch to the federal bench in New Jersey and Orelia Eleta Merchant to the federal bench in New York.
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!
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# 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
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