Voting Records
| June 19, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Motion to Table; Farm Bill – Sugar Price Supports Repeal - Vote Agreed to (50-46, 4 Not Voting) Last week saw the Senate struggling to come to agreement on which amendments it would consider to the five-year reauthorization of agriculture and nutrition programs. The first such amendment - offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on behalf of Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. – would phase out the federal price support program for sugar producers by 2015. Detractors of the program argue that it artificially inflates prices for consumers and end-users, such as confectioners. The program’s backers argue that it actually shields both of these groups from violent swings in market prices by providing a supportive environment for domestic sugar productio! n. The actual vote taken, however, was not on the amendment itself but on a motion to table. The motion passed, thus killing the amendment. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Motion to Table; Farm Bill – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Elimination - Vote Agreed to (65-33, 2 Not Voting) The second amendment brought up for consideration concerned federal nutrition assistance, known by its acronym SNAP. Republicans have raised the alarm that spending under this program has ballooned in recent years and have sought to cut benefits. Democrats have countered that the program is actually functioning as it was designed to do, with more people coming on the rolls because of a weak economy. A “sequester-replacement” bill (H.R. 5652) passed last month in the House mostly along party lines would cut $34 billion from SNAP in the next 10 years as part of an effort to avoid Pentagon cuts. This Senate amendment, ! again offered by Reid (this time on behalf of Rand Paul, R-Ky.), would do House Republicans one better by ending SNAP as it currently exists and in its place creating a block grant program that would send a fixed amount of money to the states each year for the overall purpose of nutrition assistance, but with far fewer strings attached than there are currently. The actual vote was once again on a motion to table rather than the amendment itself. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Farm Bill - S.3240 The Senate will continue consideration of the farm bill. Domestic Energy and Jobs Act - H.R.4480 The House will consider this bill that would mandate an increase in oil and gas production equivalent to any release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. | |
In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Wage Discrimination - Vote Rejected (52-47, 1 Not Voting) The Senate failed to invoke cloture last week on a motion to proceed to a bill that would provide additional legal recourse to individuals who experience gender-based wage discrimination. Among other provisions, the bill would have allowed employees to sue for punitive damages (as opposed to just back pay) and would increase penalties against employers who engage in wage discrimination based on gender. The measure would also make it illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for talking about their wages with each other. Republicans decried the bill as unnecessary and a boon to trial lawyers, while Democrats continued to hammer their election-year theme of the GOP being out of touch with wome! n. The President expressed strong support for the bill. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Farm Bill - Vote Agreed to (90-8, 2 Not Voting) After much talk about a revolt among Southern senators, the Senate easily invoked cloture on a motion to proceed to its version of the multi-year reauthorization of farm and nutrition programs. Ultimately the only senators voting against cloture were Republican fiscal hawks who will likely vote against the bill anyway. Nonetheless, battle lines have been drawn between the Agriculture committee’s top two members, Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. and Ranking Member Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and about a dozen Southern senators. Stabenow and Roberts have drawn up a bill that eliminates about $5 billion in annual direct payments to farmers and replaces it with a "shallow loss" program that would replace revenue ! losses of 11 to 21 percent below a five-year average. Southern senators object that this program would be of little help to their farmers, whose rice, peanut and cotton crops are less subject to natural disaster than wheat and corn but more subject to price fluctuation. Southerners are demanding some form of guaranteed price protection. Another battle will center around funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Both the Senate and House Agriculture committees have proposed SNAP cuts, with much larger cuts expected to come out of the House. Democrats in both houses are opposed to these cuts. The House has yet to mark up its version of the bill, and there is some question over whether it will happen later in the summer or not at all. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., Ranking Democratic on House Ag, has expressed confidence the measure will come to the floor, but a "summer agenda" memo distributed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. made no mention! of it. President Obama has backed the Senate bill. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Energy-Water Appropriations - Vote Passed (255-165, 11 Not Voting) The House passed three FY 2013 appropriations bills last week, the first of which covered funding for the Department of Energy (DOE), Army Corps of Engineers and water development projects under the Interior Department, as well as various independent agencies including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This is typically a non-controversial measure, but that did not stop Members from forcing nearly three dozen amendment votes on the floor. Most of these involved either shifting funds from one program area to another or barring funding for an activity disliked by a particular Member. Very few amendments passed. The underlying bill would increase funding for DOE’s nuclear weapons programs! by $298 million and cut the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) account within the Energy Department by $428 million. Several Democratic amendments attempted to restore EERE funding, but each was turned aside. The bill would also prohibit the closure of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste depository, a priority of President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. The President has issued a veto threat on the measure. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Medical Device Tax Repeal - Vote Passed (270-146, 15 Not Voting) House Republicans, with the help of 37 Democrats, passed a bill last week repealing the 2.3-percent tax on medical devices that was included as a pay-for in the 2010 health care overhaul. Bundled into the device tax repeal bill was a separate measure ending the overhaul’s restriction on using certain tax-preferred accounts to buy over-the-count drugs, and a third provision allowing individuals to recoup up to $500 remaining in their FSAs at the end of a plan year. The measure would be paid for by lifting caps on liability for overpayments of subsidized coverage under the overhaul. President Obama has threatened to veto the measure. Senator Scott P. Brown, R-Mass. and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah h! ave introduced device tax repeal bills in the upper chamber, neither of which has attracted Democratic cosponsors. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Homeland Security Appropriations - Vote Passed (234-182, 15 Not Voting) Second on the approps docket last week was funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Several provisions in the House measure have caused consternation among House Democrats and the Administration. These include a new limitation on the ability of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to provide abortions for detainees and cuts to a program that provides alternatives (such as electronic monitoring) to detention for individuals who are in deportation proceedings. Sure to cause additional heartburn for Democrats is an amendment offered by Steve King, R-Iowa to bar funding for the Administration’s "prosecutorial discretion" policy in targeting certain illegal immigr! ants for deportation. The policy, dating to June 2011, instructs ICE personnel to focus their resources on individuals with criminal records and to “consider relevant factors” before targeting certain others, including members of the armed forces, those who came to the United States as children, and high school and college graduates. Republicans have called this policy "administrative amnesty." King’s amendment passed, mostly along party lines (Roll Call #363). The president has threatened to veto the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Legislative Branch Appropriations - Vote Passed (307-102, 22 Not Voting) Last but not least (at least not for lawmakers), the House passed its measure funding FY 13 spending on legislative branch operations. The measure provides funding for Member and committee offices and operations of agencies such as the Library of Congress, Capitol Police, Congressional Research Service (CRS), and Government Accountability Office (GAO). The House bill would cut funding for House operations by one percent, hold CRS flat and give bumps of six, two, and one percent to the Capitol Police, GAO and the Congressional Budget Office respectively. A 10 percent cut to the Architect of the Capitol means that ongoing restoration of the Capitol dome would be placed on hold. Funding f! or Senate operations will be taken up by the Senate Appropriations committee. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Farm Bill - S.3240 The Senate is scheduled to continue work on the farm bill. | |
| June 4, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent House Votes | |
| FDA User Fee Reauthorization - Vote Passed (387-5, 39 Not Voting) Fresh on the heels of Senate passage, the House last week passed its version of FDA user fee legislation with a show of overwhelming support. The bill would reauthorize the FDA to impose user fees on drug and device manufacturers for five years. Unlike the Senate bill, there was little controversy surrounding the reauthorization in the House, as evidenced by the final vote tally. The bill was considered under suspension of the rules, an expedited procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. At this point the House and Senate will move to conference to iron out a few minor differences. Both chambers have reportedly set a goal of July 4 for getting a final product to the president's d! esk. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sex-Selective Abortion Ban - Vote Failed (246-168, 17 Not Voting) Occasioning considerably more controversy than the FDA bill, the House also considered legislation to criminalize the administering or facilitating of abortions based on the sex of the fetus. The practice, known as sex-selective abortion, has long been associated with countries such as China and India, where social and economic pressures can lead to families to abort females at much higher rates than males. Republicans contend that this practice has reached the United States; Democrats say there is insufficient evidence and that a blanket ban would be unenforceable in any case. Despite garnering majority support, the measure failed because it was considered under suspension of the rules. ! Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Intelligence Authorization - Vote Passed (386-28, 17 Not Voting) The House passed legislation to authorize funding for the 16 intelligence agencies last week. Although total funding levels are classified, the bill would fund agencies such as the CIA and National Security Agency at a level above President Obama's request of $71.8 billion, according to Intelligence committee chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich. and ranking member C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md. A handful of amendments were adopted during debate, including one offered by Michigan Democrat John Conyers, Jr. to require a report from the director of national intelligence on the consequences of a military strike against Iran. The Senate has not yet moved on its authorization bill, but action is expected ! at the committee level sometime this summer. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations - Vote Passed (407-12, 12 Not Voting) The House passed its second FY13 appropriations bill last week, providing funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and for military construction and housing. The bill would provide $71.7 billion in discretionary funds, including $60.6 billion for the VA and $10.6 billion for base construction and military family housing. A provision forbidding agencies from using project labor agreements (PLA) for construction projects was removed from the bill by an amendment from Michael G. Grimm, R-N.Y. (Roll Call #302). The PLA language was controversial among most Democrats and a handful of Republicans; its removal sped passage of what is usually a strongly bipartisan bill! . President Obama threatened to veto the bill because the House GOP has set total FY13 appropriations levels below what had been agreed to in last year's debt-ceiling standoff. Because the House kept funding levels in this bill constant with last year, deeper cuts will be necessary in other appropriations bills, which the administration views as unacceptable. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Paycheck Fairness Act - S.3220 On Tuesday, the Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on a motion to proceed to a bill addressing gender-based salary discrepancies. Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 - H.R.5325 The House began debate last week on its bill to fund the Energy Department for FY13. Amendment votes and final passage are expected this week. Health Care Cost Reduction Act of 2012 - H.R.436 Also up for consideration is a bill combining three measures passed last week by the House Ways and Means Committee. The combined measure would repeal the medical device tax included in the Affordable Care Act, as well as another provision in that law prohibiting the purchase of non-prescription drugs using money from HSAs and FSAs. The last section of the bill would allow money left in an FSA at the end of a plan year to be returned to a participant and treated as taxable income. | |
| May 29, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The Senate is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| FDA User Fee Reauthorization - Vote Passed (96-1, 3 Not Voting) After extensive wrangling between the parties about which amendments would be allowed a floor vote, the Senate last week passed a bill to reauthorize Food and Drug Administration user fees for five years. The FDA relies on the fees, levied primarily on the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, to fund reviews of those same industries’ products. Two new user fee programs, for generic and generic biologic drugs, would be created under the bill. The bill would also permanently reauthorize programs to encourage the development of drugs for pediatric patients. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., was the lone “no” vote. He felt the bill did not do enough to lower the cost of prescription d! rugs (An amendment introduced by John McCain, R-Ariz., to allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada, failed 43-54, Senate Roll Call #108). The House will debate its version of the reauthorization this week. President Obama has endorsed the Senate bill. The current authorization expires September 30, and leaders of both parties have prioritized getting this item to the president well ahead of time. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Student Loan Interest Rates – Republican Substitute - Vote Rejected (34-62, 1 Present, 3 Not Voting) Part of the deal for bringing the FDA user fee bill to the floor was allowing a vote on the GOP version of legislation to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling. Republicans offered a substitute amendment to a bill that Majority Leader Harry Reid had brought to the floor earlier this month. Closely mirroring bills already passed in the House and introduced previously by the Senate GOP (H.R.4628, S.2366), the substitute would pay for maintaining current interest rates by eliminating a preventive health fund created by the 2010 health care overhaul. An agreement between Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell required 60 votes for passage. ! Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Student Loan Interest Rates – Democratic Version - Vote Rejected (51-43, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting) Immediately after rejecting the Republican substitute, the Senate moved on to rejecting the Democrats’ version. The Democrats would pay for their bill by eliminating a tax preference for certain shareholders of S Corporations. This is the second time S.2343 was voted on but the first time the bill itself was considered; on May 8 the Republicans successfully filibustered a motion to proceed (Senate Roll Call Number 89). With the House having passed its version, it is up to the Senate to pass a bill that could at least be the basis of some sort of compromise. Rates are set to go up on July 1. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012 - H.R.5651 As noted above, the House will take up its version of the FDA user fee reauthorization this week. It will be considered under suspension of the rules, indicating it is expected to pass easily. Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012 - H.R.3541 This bill would prohibit performing abortions based on the sex of the child. It sparked fireworks every step of the way as it wound through the Judiciary Committee, and the floor debate on Wednesday should prove equally lively. National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act - H.R.5740 Before breaking last week, the Senate passed by unanimous consent an amended version of this bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program. The amendment would extend the program's coverage through July and exclude second and vacation homes from receiving subsidized rates. Both chambers continue to search for a path forward on a long-term reauthorization. Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 - H.R.5743 This bill would reauthorize the programs of U.S. spy agencies. Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 - H.R.5854 This would be the second appropriations bill considered by the House this year. Usually one of the least controversial appropriations measures, "MilCon-VA" funds veterans’ health programs and construction of military facilities in the U.S. and abroad. One interesting note: unlike the Commerce-Justice-Science measure that passed May 10, this bill will not be given an open rule, meaning the opportunity to offer amendments on the floor will be limited. | |
| May 22, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Paul Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (16-83, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.084 trillion. According to the Senator, his resolution would balance the budget in five years and cut the national deficit by $2 trillion over ten years. It introduces means-testing requirements to Social Security and raises the retirement age to 70 by 2032. It would also means-test Medicare and raise the age of eligibility to 70 over a 20-year window. Senior citizens would be permitted to enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan used by congressional Members and staff. The resolution would set a flat tax rate of 17 percent for all individuals and businesses and eliminate all credits and dedu! ctions except the child credit and mortgage interest deduction. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Lee Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (17-82, 1 Not Voting) The budget resolution from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.269 trillion. It purports to balance the budget by 2017 through myriad changes to entitlements and the tax code as well as reducing spending to 17.8 percent of GDP over ten years. It would establish a single 25% tax rate for individuals and businesses while eliminating the payroll, estate, and any investment taxes. Social Security would be means-tested and the retirement age would rise to 68. Medicare participants would be able to enroll in a “premium-support” or voucher program. Total Medicare spending would be capped at the level of the Consumer Price Index plus one percent. Medicaid would bec! ome a block grant program. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (70-24, 6 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein of Massachusetts to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (74-21, 5 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Export-Import Bank Reauthorization - Vote Passed (78-20, 2 Not Voting) This bill would extend the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States through FY 2014. It would allow the bank’s lending limit to rise incrementally to $140 billion (from $100 billion currently). Following House passage last week, the Senate cleared this bill for the president’s signature, narrowly avoiding the May 31 expiration of the bank’s charter. Passage followed several failed amendment votes, among them a vote to terminate the bank within one year. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio “Obama” Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (0-99, 1 Not Voting) The Senate unanimously rejected this budget resolution, which was the GOP’s interpretation of President Obama’s FY 13 budget proposal. It would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.982 trillion. This marks the second time Senate Republicans have introduced what they call the president’s budget for a floor vote, and the second time the proposal has failed to garner a single “yea” vote. This was the first of five budget resolutions the Senate voted on last week, each one a “messaging” vote since both chambers have already set spending levels for their respective FY 13 appropriations bills. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Ryan Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (41-58, 1 Not Voting) In another reprisal of last year’s budget theater, the House-passed budget drafted by Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., failed in a party-line Senate vote. The resolution would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.794 trillion. As happened last year, all Democrats voted “nay” along with Independents Bernard Sanders (Vt.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.). All Republicans voted “yay” with the exceptions of Sens. Scott P. Brown (Mass.), Susan Collins (Maine), Dean Heller (Nev.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Olympia J. Snowe (Maine). Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES Toomey Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (42-57, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.843 trillion. It purports to create a balanced budget within eight years, in part by reducing spending to about 18.3 percent of GDP. It would also create a two-thirds supermajority requirement for votes to exceed discretionary spending levels set forth in the resolution and a three-fifths supermajority to make any advance appropriation unless the latter are for a handful of accounts at the Veterans Affairs Administration. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES.....! .send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio ......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization - Vote Passed (222-205, 4 Not Voting) The House last week passed its version of a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Originally passed in 1994, the bill had been reauthorized twice without controversy until this year. The Senate version (S 1925), passed April 26, created several new provisions to which the House objected, such as expanding protections to include LGBT victims. President Obama has threatened to veto the House bill. While it looked like the two bills were headed to a conference committee following House passage, it was discovered late last week that the Senate bill contained a revenue-raising provision, causing the House to raise constitutional objections. The path forward at th! is point is not clear. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Suspension Vote: Iran Sanctions Resolution - Vote Passed (401-11, 9 Present, 10 Not Voting) In a shot across the bow of world leaders gathered last weekend for the G8 Summit, the House loudly expressed its position on Iran. While reiterating that it is a “vital national interest” of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a “nuclear capability,” the resolution also comes down firmly against any proposed “containment” policy. Debate has raged about what U.S. “red lines” are with regard to Iran’s uranium enrichment program, and there is some question as to what exactly a “nuclear capability” would mean. If it means having a certain amount of enriched uranium, for example, that is a much different! standard than having the ability to arm a missile with a nuclear warhead. Perhaps with that in mind, the resolution also demands that Iran end its ballistic missile program. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Flood Insurance Extension - Vote Passed (402-18, 11 Not Voting) Hoping to avoid a May 31 expiration date, the House passed a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. The bill would extend the program’s authorization through June 30, allowing homeowners living in flood zones to purchase private insurance. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., attempted to pass a different extension last week by unanimous consent, but Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., objected. Republicans in both chambers want a complete overhaul of the program in exchange for a multi-year extension. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES! ......send e-mail or see bio National Defense Authorization, FY 2013 - Vote Passed (299-120, 12 Not Voting) The House passed its version of the annual defense policy bill last week following two days of debate and dozens of amendments. The bill would provide $643 billion for FY 13, including $88.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan. The topline figure exceeds agreed-upon spending levels from last year’s Budget Control Act (PL 112-25) by $8 billion. Amendment debate ranged widely, from the sale of fighter jets to Taiwan to the detention of terrorism suspects arrested on U.S. soil. President Obama has issued a veto threat on this bill. The Senate Armed Services Committee is slated to mark up its version this week. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act - S.3187 The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to this bill, which would reauthorize FDA user fees. | |
| May 21, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Paul Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (16-83, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.084 trillion. According to the Senator, his resolution would balance the budget in five years and cut the national deficit by $2 trillion over ten years. It introduces means-testing requirements to Social Security and raises the retirement age to 70 by 2032. It would also means-test Medicare and raise the age of eligibility to 70 over a 20-year window. Senior citizens would be permitted to enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan used by congressional Members and staff. The resolution would set a flat tax rate of 17 percent for all individuals and businesses and eliminate all credits and dedu! ctions except the child credit and mortgage interest deduction. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Lee Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (17-82, 1 Not Voting) The budget resolution from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.269 trillion. It purports to balance the budget by 2017 through myriad changes to entitlements and the tax code as well as reducing spending to 17.8 percent of GDP over ten years. It would establish a single 25% tax rate for individuals and businesses while eliminating the payroll, estate, and any investment taxes. Social Security would be means-tested and the retirement age would rise to 68. Medicare participants would be able to enroll in a “premium-support” or voucher program. Total Medicare spending would be capped at the level of the Consumer Price Index plus one percent. Medicaid would bec! ome a block grant program. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (70-24, 6 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein of Massachusetts to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (74-21, 5 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Export-Import Bank Reauthorization - Vote Passed (78-20, 2 Not Voting) This bill would extend the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States through FY 2014. It would allow the bank’s lending limit to rise incrementally to $140 billion (from $100 billion currently). Following House passage last week, the Senate cleared this bill for the president’s signature, narrowly avoiding the May 31 expiration of the bank’s charter. Passage followed several failed amendment votes, among them a vote to terminate the bank within one year. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio “Obama” Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (0-99, 1 Not Voting) The Senate unanimously rejected this budget resolution, which was the GOP’s interpretation of President Obama’s FY 13 budget proposal. It would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.982 trillion. This marks the second time Senate Republicans have introduced what they call the president’s budget for a floor vote, and the second time the proposal has failed to garner a single “yea” vote. This was the first of five budget resolutions the Senate voted on last week, each one a “messaging” vote since both chambers have already set spending levels for their respective FY 13 appropriations bills. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Ryan Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (41-58, 1 Not Voting) In another reprisal of last year’s budget theater, the House-passed budget drafted by Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., failed in a party-line Senate vote. The resolution would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.794 trillion. As happened last year, all Democrats voted “nay” along with Independents Bernard Sanders (Vt.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.). All Republicans voted “yay” with the exceptions of Sens. Scott P. Brown (Mass.), Susan Collins (Maine), Dean Heller (Nev.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Olympia J. Snowe (Maine). Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES Toomey Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (42-57, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.843 trillion. It purports to create a balanced budget within eight years, in part by reducing spending to about 18.3 percent of GDP. It would also create a two-thirds supermajority requirement for votes to exceed discretionary spending levels set forth in the resolution and a three-fifths supermajority to make any advance appropriation unless the latter are for a handful of accounts at the Veterans Affairs Administration. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES.....! .send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio ......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization - Vote Passed (222-205, 4 Not Voting) The House last week passed its version of a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Originally passed in 1994, the bill had been reauthorized twice without controversy until this year. The Senate version (S 1925), passed April 26, created several new provisions to which the House objected, such as expanding protections to include LGBT victims. President Obama has threatened to veto the House bill. While it looked like the two bills were headed to a conference committee following House passage, it was discovered late last week that the Senate bill contained a revenue-raising provision, causing the House to raise constitutional objections. The path forward at th! is point is not clear. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Suspension Vote: Iran Sanctions Resolution - Vote Passed (401-11, 9 Present, 10 Not Voting) In a shot across the bow of world leaders gathered last weekend for the G8 Summit, the House loudly expressed its position on Iran. While reiterating that it is a “vital national interest” of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a “nuclear capability,” the resolution also comes down firmly against any proposed “containment” policy. Debate has raged about what U.S. “red lines” are with regard to Iran’s uranium enrichment program, and there is some question as to what exactly a “nuclear capability” would mean. If it means having a certain amount of enriched uranium, for example, that is a much different! standard than having the ability to arm a missile with a nuclear warhead. Perhaps with that in mind, the resolution also demands that Iran end its ballistic missile program. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Flood Insurance Extension - Vote Passed (402-18, 11 Not Voting) Hoping to avoid a May 31 expiration date, the House passed a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. The bill would extend the program’s authorization through June 30, allowing homeowners living in flood zones to purchase private insurance. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., attempted to pass a different extension last week by unanimous consent, but Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., objected. Republicans in both chambers want a complete overhaul of the program in exchange for a multi-year extension. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES! ......send e-mail or see bio National Defense Authorization, FY 2013 - Vote Passed (299-120, 12 Not Voting) The House passed its version of the annual defense policy bill last week following two days of debate and dozens of amendments. The bill would provide $643 billion for FY 13, including $88.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan. The topline figure exceeds agreed-upon spending levels from last year’s Budget Control Act (PL 112-25) by $8 billion. Amendment debate ranged widely, from the sale of fighter jets to Taiwan to the detention of terrorism suspects arrested on U.S. soil. President Obama has issued a veto threat on this bill. The Senate Armed Services Committee is slated to mark up its version this week. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act - S.3187 The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to this bill, which would reauthorize FDA user fees. | |
| May 14, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Judicial Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (91-3, 6 Not Voting) The Senate confirmed the nomination of Jacqueline H. Nguyen of California to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Cloture Motion: Student Loan Interest Rates - Vote Rejected (52-45, 1 Present, 2 Not Voting) This bill would extend the current 3.4 percent interest rate on federally-subsidized Stafford loans to undergraduate students for one year. This extension would be paid for by eliminating a tax preference for certain shareholders of S-Corporations. The Senate failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to invoke cloture, and thereby end debate, on the motion to proceed to the bill. It is possible the Senate will hold another cloture vote on this bill. The House passed a competing version (H.R.4628) on April 27. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted ! NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Suspension Vote: Export-Import Bank Reauthorization - Vote Passed (330-93, 8 Not Voting) This bill would extend the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States through FY 2014. It would allow the bank's lending limit to rise incrementally to $140 billion (from $100 billion currently). HR 2072 passed under suspension of the rules, meaning the support of at least two thirds of all Members voting (in this case 282) is required for passage. The Senate will take up H.R.2072 on Monday, May 14, with a cloture vote scheduled. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Suspension Vote: U.S.-Israel Cooperation - Vote Passed (411-2, 9 Present, 9 Not Voting) This bill states that it shall be U.S. policy to deepen cooperation with Israel in a wide variety of areas, particularly regarding Israel’s "qualitative military edge" over regional rivals; to veto anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations; and to assist Israel in ongoing negotiations on a two-state solution. The bill also extends U.S.-government-backed loan guarantees to Israel through FY 2015. HR 4133 passed under suspension of the rules, meaning the support of at least two thirds of all Members voting (in this case 276) is required for passage. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland! voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sequester Replacement - Vote Passed (218-199, 1 Present, 13 Not Voting) This bill cancels the automatic discretionary spending cuts instituted by last year's debt-ceiling agreement and replaces those cuts with a different set of reductions to a variety of mandatory spending programs, as well as a reduction on the overall spending limit for all FY 2013 appropriations bills. The bill separately eliminates the cap on defense spending instituted by the debt-limit agreement to accommodate a higher level of spending in that area. The Senate is unlikely to take up this bill. The President has issued a veto threat. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations, FY 2013 - Vote Passed (247-163, 21 Not Voting) This appropriations bill provides $51.1 billion dollars in funding in FY 2013 for the departments of Commerce and Justice and other agencies such as NASA and the National Science Foundation. This funding level would be $1.8 billion less than in FY 2012 and $731 million less than the president requested for the upcoming fiscal year. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill on April 19, but floor time has not been scheduled. The President has threatened a veto on the House version. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES ......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 - H.R.2072 The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to this House-passed bill. Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act of 2012 - S.2343 The Senate will likely continue consideration of this bill, with another cloture vote possible. Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 - H.R.4970 The House will take up a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which aims to foster cooperation among law enforcement, public health and other organizations in combating domestic violence and other crimes against women. The Senate passed its version on April 26. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 - H.R.4310 The House aims to pass its version of the annual defense policy bill. | |
| April 30, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Editor's Note: The Senate and House are in recess this week. They will return on Monday, May 7. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 - Vote Passed (62-37, 1 Not Voting) The Senate passed its U.S. Postal Service overhaul bill. The bill seeks to trim the workforce by about 100,000 employees through attrition and delays efforts to eliminate Saturday delivery and close some post offices. The House has yet to pass its version of the bill. The postmaster estimates the agency needs to trim $22 billion in operating costs to remain in business. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (68-31, 1 Not Voting) The Senate voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act for another five years. The 1994 law gives federal law enforcement agencies tools to combat crime against women. The reauthorization adds provisions relating to Native American and immigrant women, and sexual orientation. The House is likely to pass a bill similar to the current authorization. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act - Vote Passed (248-168, 15 Not Voting) This House bill directs the Director of National Intelligence to develop procedures to share cyber-threat information on a voluntary basis between the government's intelligence community and the private sector. The White House has threatened to veto the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Interest Rate Reduction Act - Vote Passed (215-195, 22 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would keep the interest rate for government-subsidized student loans at 3.4 percent. The rate is scheduled to rise to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2012. To offset the estimated $6 billion cost of maintaining the current interest rate, the bill would repeal the $12 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund which was created by the 2010 health care reform bill. The White House supports keeping the current interest rate, but has threatened to veto this bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| April 23, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Cloture Motion; Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012 - Vote Rejected (51-45, 4 Not Voting) The Senate failed to reach the sixty vote threshold needed to move forward on this bill to raise tax rates on taxpayers earning more than $1 million. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 - Vote Passed (274-146, 11 Not Voting) This bill would codify the use of public lands for recreational hunting, shooting and fishing unless the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service determines it is necessary to prohibit those activities. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II - Vote Passed (293-127, 11 Not Voting) The House passed this three-month highway and transportation program bill that will serve as the vehicle to negotiate a long-term bill with the Senate. The Senate passed a two-year, $109 billion bill in March. House Republicans would like a five year bill. The current extension runs out June 30, 2012. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Small Business Tax Cut Act - Vote Passed (235-173, 1 Present, 22 Not Voting) This House bill would give businesses with fewer than 500 employees a 20 percent tax deduction for the 2012 tax year. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 - S.1789 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service. Violence Against Women Act - S.1925 The Senate may vote on this bill to renew the Violence Against Women Act. NLRB union election rule - S.J.RES.36 This Senate resolution would disapprove of a National Labor Relations Board rule regarding the timing of union elections. Cybersecurity Enhancement Act - H.R.2096 This House bill would fund cybersecurity research. Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act - H.R.3523 This bill would establish procedures for sharing cyber-threat intelligence. | |
| April 2, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Editor's Note: Congress is in recess this week and next. The Senate and House both return on April 16. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 - Vote Rejected (51-46, 3 Not Voting) This postal overhaul bill did not receive the necessary 60 votes to proceed to debate. The bill would allow the Postal Service to recoup around $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use that money to provide financial incentives to about 100,000 employees to retire, as well as delay the plan to end Saturday delivery for two years. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act - Vote Rejected (51-47, 2 Not Voting) This legislation would repeal some tax breaks for large oil and gas companies and use the revenue generated by these tax repeals to pay for an extension of renewable-energy tax credits and incentives. The bill did not receive the necessary 60 votes to end debate and is unlikely to be considered again. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (247-174, 10 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would overhaul Federal Communications Commission regulatory procedures and curb the agency’s ability to set conditions on transactions related to corporate mergers and acquisitions. The bill’s future is uncertain. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Surface Transportation Extension Act - Vote Passed (266-158, 7 Not Voting) On Thursday the House passed this bill to extend authorization for surface transportation programs through June 30. The Senate cleared the bill by voice vote later the same day, sending the bill to the president. President Obama signed it the next day. This extension gives the House and Senate more time to negotiate a long-term transportation bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Democratic Alternative Budget - Vote Failed (163-262, 6 Not Voting) The Democrats offered a substitute budget amendment that would provide $1.05 trillion in discretionary spending for fiscal 2013, including $546 billion for defense spending. The amendment includes a permanent extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for the middle class, but would end nearly $1 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and close a variety of corporate tax loopholes. The amendment was rejected. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Fiscal 2013 House Budget Resolution - Vote Passed (228-191, 12 Not Voting) The House passed this budget resolution providing for $1.03 trillion in discretionary spending. That amount is $19 billion less than the discretionary target agreed to as part of last summer’s deal to raise the debt ceiling. The resolution calls for spending cuts through restructuring Medicare, converting Medicaid and the food stamp program into block grants to states, and repealing the 2010 health care law. It also calls for an overhaul of the tax code. The Senate is likely to reject the House budget resolution. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| March 5, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Motion to Table Blunt Amendment - Vote Agreed to (51-48, 1 Not Voting) The Senate rejected an amendment to the surface transportation bill that would have allowed employers to exclude certain health services from its insurance plans based on religious grounds. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act - Vote Passed (303-114, 16 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would overturn an Education Department regulation defining credit hours and rules education institutions must adhere to in order to operate in a state. The bill is intended to ease regulations on the for-profit education industry. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act - Vote Passed (246-175, 1 Present, 11 Not Voting) This House bill is intended to increase access to water for agricultural and municipal uses in the San Joaquin Valley in California. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Surface transportation authorization - S.1813 The Senate is scheduled to continue work on their two-year, $109 billion bill to fund transportation projects. Tariffs on non-market economies - H.R.4105 This House bill would impose higher tariffs on goods imported from state-controlled economies. Hydropower development - H.R.2842 The House is scheduled to take up this bill to speed up the approval process of hydropower projects. Cost of going public for businesses - H.R.3606 This bipartisan House bill is intended to make it easier for small and mid-sized companies to go public. | |
| February 21, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Editor's Note: The Senate and House are in recess until Monday, February 27, 2012. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act - Vote Agreed to (60-36, 4 Not Voting) The Senate gave final approval to the agreement to extend the Social Security payroll tax rate cut, which was reduced from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent last year, through the end of 2012. The bill also extends certain unemployment benefits and Medicare physician payment rates through the end of the year. The president is expected to sign the bill into law. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act - Vote Passed (237-187, 10 Not Voting) The House passed the first part of the surface transportation authorization bill, which has been divided into three parts. This part deals with energy and would use oil and gas revenue to fund transportation projects. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act - Vote Passed (293-132, 8 Not Voting) The House passed this agreement to extend the Social Security payroll tax rate cut, which was reduced from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent last year, through the end of 2012. The bill also extends certain unemployment benefits and Medicare physician payment rates through the end of the year. The Senate passed the bill a short time later, clearing it for the president's signature. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| February 13, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act - Vote Agreed to (75-20, 5 Not Voting) The Senate gave final approval to this conference report authorizing $15.9 billion per year through the 2015 fiscal year for the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA has been operating under a series of short-term extensions since the 2008 fiscal year. The president is expected to sign the measure. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Budget and Accounting Transparency Act - Vote Passed (245-180, 8 Not Voting) This House bill would incorporate the costs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into the federal budget, change how the government accounts for loan programs, and require federal agencies to post their budget information on their websites. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Expedited Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (254-173, 6 Not Voting) The House passed this bill to give the president a line-item veto and rescission authority over discretionary spending bills. The bill would give Congress three days to vote to accept or reject the presidents’ rescissions. The White House supports the bill, but the Senate is not expected to take it up. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio STOCK Act - Vote Passed (417-2, 14 Not Voting) The House passed an amended version of this Senate bill that would strengthen rules prohibiting lawmakers, Capitol Hill staff and some executive branch officials from using confidential information to buy or sell stocks. The Senate now will either accept the modified bill or request a conference committee. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Surface transportation authorization - S.1813 The Senate is scheduled to work on their two-year, $109 billion bill to fund transportation projects. Surface transportation authorization - H.R.7 Meanwhile, the House is scheduled to work on their four and a half year, $260 billion transportation bill. | |
| February 6, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| STOCK Act - Vote Passed (96-3, 1 Not Voting) This Senate bill would strengthen rules prohibiting lawmakers, Capitol Hill staff and some executive branch officials from using confidential information to buy or sell stocks. The House is expected to take up the bill this week. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act - Vote Passed (267-159, 6 Not Voting) The House voted to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, a provision in the 2010 health care law that was intended to provide long-term care but was suspended after the Department of Health and Human Services determined it could not be solvent for 75 years as required by the law. The bill's future in the Senate is unclear. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (242-179, 11 Not Voting) This House measure would require the CBO to assess a bill's impact on long-term economic growth. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Baseline Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (235-177, 20 Not Voting) This House bill would stop the Congressional Budget Office from incorporating inflation increases into its spending projections. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio FAA Modernization and Reform Act - Vote Passed (248-169, 15 Not Voting) The House passed this conference report authorizing $15.9 billion per year through 2015 for the Federal Aviation Administration. The Senate is scheduled to take up the measure this week. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| FAA Modernization and Reform Act - H.R.658 The Senate is scheduled to take up the FAA authorization conference report. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act - S.1813 The Senate may also take up a two-year, $109 billion highway bill. Expedited Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2011 - H.R.3521 This House bill would give the president a line-item veto over discretionary spending bills. STOCK Act - S.2038 The House is expected to take up this bill to curb stock trading by legislators and staff based on confidential information. | |
| January 30, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Debt limit disapproval - Vote Rejected (44-52, 4 Not Voting) The Senate rejected this House resolution to block a $1.2 trillion increase in the $15.2 trillion debt ceiling. The increase automatically took effect on January 27, 2012. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act - Vote Passed (408-0, 25 Not Voting) The House passed this bill to change the definition of “ultralight” aircraft in the anti-smuggling statute in order to increase penalties for using them to smuggle drugs. The Senate cleared the measure for the president the next day by unanimous consent. It was the last bill sponsored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords before her resignation from Congress. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012 - S.2038 The Senate is scheduled to take up this bill to ban members and aides from trading stocks using information learned through the course of their duties. Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011 - H.R.1173 The House is scheduled to take up this bill repealing the CLASS Act, a provision in the health care law intended to provide long-term care to seniors. Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011 - H.R.3582 This House bill would require the Congressional Budget Office to take into account the effect a bill might have on the economy when analyzing a bill. Baseline Reform Act of 2011 - H.R.3578 This House bill would stop the Congressional Budget Office from incorporating inflation projections into their bill analysis. | |
| January 23, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Editor's Note: President Obama is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24 at 9 pm EST. | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Debt limit disapproval - Vote Passed (239-176, 2 Present, 16 Not Voting) The House voted to block a $1.2 trillion increase in the $15.2 trillion debt ceiling. With the Senate unlikely to approve a similar measure, the increase will automatically take effect January 27, 2012. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Wage Discrimination - Vote Rejected (52-47, 1 Not Voting) The Senate failed to invoke cloture last week on a motion to proceed to a bill that would provide additional legal recourse to individuals who experience gender-based wage discrimination. Among other provisions, the bill would have allowed employees to sue for punitive damages (as opposed to just back pay) and would increase penalties against employers who engage in wage discrimination based on gender. The measure would also make it illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for talking about their wages with each other. Republicans decried the bill as unnecessary and a boon to trial lawyers, while Democrats continued to hammer their election-year theme of the GOP being out of touch with wome! n. The President expressed strong support for the bill. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Farm Bill - Vote Agreed to (90-8, 2 Not Voting) After much talk about a revolt among Southern senators, the Senate easily invoked cloture on a motion to proceed to its version of the multi-year reauthorization of farm and nutrition programs. Ultimately the only senators voting against cloture were Republican fiscal hawks who will likely vote against the bill anyway. Nonetheless, battle lines have been drawn between the Agriculture committee’s top two members, Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. and Ranking Member Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and about a dozen Southern senators. Stabenow and Roberts have drawn up a bill that eliminates about $5 billion in annual direct payments to farmers and replaces it with a "shallow loss" program that would replace revenue ! losses of 11 to 21 percent below a five-year average. Southern senators object that this program would be of little help to their farmers, whose rice, peanut and cotton crops are less subject to natural disaster than wheat and corn but more subject to price fluctuation. Southerners are demanding some form of guaranteed price protection. Another battle will center around funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Both the Senate and House Agriculture committees have proposed SNAP cuts, with much larger cuts expected to come out of the House. Democrats in both houses are opposed to these cuts. The House has yet to mark up its version of the bill, and there is some question over whether it will happen later in the summer or not at all. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., Ranking Democratic on House Ag, has expressed confidence the measure will come to the floor, but a "summer agenda" memo distributed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. made no mention! of it. President Obama has backed the Senate bill. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Energy-Water Appropriations - Vote Passed (255-165, 11 Not Voting) The House passed three FY 2013 appropriations bills last week, the first of which covered funding for the Department of Energy (DOE), Army Corps of Engineers and water development projects under the Interior Department, as well as various independent agencies including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This is typically a non-controversial measure, but that did not stop Members from forcing nearly three dozen amendment votes on the floor. Most of these involved either shifting funds from one program area to another or barring funding for an activity disliked by a particular Member. Very few amendments passed. The underlying bill would increase funding for DOE’s nuclear weapons programs! by $298 million and cut the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) account within the Energy Department by $428 million. Several Democratic amendments attempted to restore EERE funding, but each was turned aside. The bill would also prohibit the closure of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste depository, a priority of President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. The President has issued a veto threat on the measure. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Medical Device Tax Repeal - Vote Passed (270-146, 15 Not Voting) House Republicans, with the help of 37 Democrats, passed a bill last week repealing the 2.3-percent tax on medical devices that was included as a pay-for in the 2010 health care overhaul. Bundled into the device tax repeal bill was a separate measure ending the overhaul’s restriction on using certain tax-preferred accounts to buy over-the-count drugs, and a third provision allowing individuals to recoup up to $500 remaining in their FSAs at the end of a plan year. The measure would be paid for by lifting caps on liability for overpayments of subsidized coverage under the overhaul. President Obama has threatened to veto the measure. Senator Scott P. Brown, R-Mass. and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah h! ave introduced device tax repeal bills in the upper chamber, neither of which has attracted Democratic cosponsors. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Homeland Security Appropriations - Vote Passed (234-182, 15 Not Voting) Second on the approps docket last week was funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Several provisions in the House measure have caused consternation among House Democrats and the Administration. These include a new limitation on the ability of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to provide abortions for detainees and cuts to a program that provides alternatives (such as electronic monitoring) to detention for individuals who are in deportation proceedings. Sure to cause additional heartburn for Democrats is an amendment offered by Steve King, R-Iowa to bar funding for the Administration’s "prosecutorial discretion" policy in targeting certain illegal immigr! ants for deportation. The policy, dating to June 2011, instructs ICE personnel to focus their resources on individuals with criminal records and to “consider relevant factors” before targeting certain others, including members of the armed forces, those who came to the United States as children, and high school and college graduates. Republicans have called this policy "administrative amnesty." King’s amendment passed, mostly along party lines (Roll Call #363). The president has threatened to veto the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Legislative Branch Appropriations - Vote Passed (307-102, 22 Not Voting) Last but not least (at least not for lawmakers), the House passed its measure funding FY 13 spending on legislative branch operations. The measure provides funding for Member and committee offices and operations of agencies such as the Library of Congress, Capitol Police, Congressional Research Service (CRS), and Government Accountability Office (GAO). The House bill would cut funding for House operations by one percent, hold CRS flat and give bumps of six, two, and one percent to the Capitol Police, GAO and the Congressional Budget Office respectively. A 10 percent cut to the Architect of the Capitol means that ongoing restoration of the Capitol dome would be placed on hold. Funding f! or Senate operations will be taken up by the Senate Appropriations committee. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Farm Bill - S.3240 The Senate is scheduled to continue work on the farm bill. | |
| June 4, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent House Votes | |
| FDA User Fee Reauthorization - Vote Passed (387-5, 39 Not Voting) Fresh on the heels of Senate passage, the House last week passed its version of FDA user fee legislation with a show of overwhelming support. The bill would reauthorize the FDA to impose user fees on drug and device manufacturers for five years. Unlike the Senate bill, there was little controversy surrounding the reauthorization in the House, as evidenced by the final vote tally. The bill was considered under suspension of the rules, an expedited procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. At this point the House and Senate will move to conference to iron out a few minor differences. Both chambers have reportedly set a goal of July 4 for getting a final product to the president's d! esk. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sex-Selective Abortion Ban - Vote Failed (246-168, 17 Not Voting) Occasioning considerably more controversy than the FDA bill, the House also considered legislation to criminalize the administering or facilitating of abortions based on the sex of the fetus. The practice, known as sex-selective abortion, has long been associated with countries such as China and India, where social and economic pressures can lead to families to abort females at much higher rates than males. Republicans contend that this practice has reached the United States; Democrats say there is insufficient evidence and that a blanket ban would be unenforceable in any case. Despite garnering majority support, the measure failed because it was considered under suspension of the rules. ! Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Intelligence Authorization - Vote Passed (386-28, 17 Not Voting) The House passed legislation to authorize funding for the 16 intelligence agencies last week. Although total funding levels are classified, the bill would fund agencies such as the CIA and National Security Agency at a level above President Obama's request of $71.8 billion, according to Intelligence committee chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich. and ranking member C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md. A handful of amendments were adopted during debate, including one offered by Michigan Democrat John Conyers, Jr. to require a report from the director of national intelligence on the consequences of a military strike against Iran. The Senate has not yet moved on its authorization bill, but action is expected ! at the committee level sometime this summer. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations - Vote Passed (407-12, 12 Not Voting) The House passed its second FY13 appropriations bill last week, providing funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and for military construction and housing. The bill would provide $71.7 billion in discretionary funds, including $60.6 billion for the VA and $10.6 billion for base construction and military family housing. A provision forbidding agencies from using project labor agreements (PLA) for construction projects was removed from the bill by an amendment from Michael G. Grimm, R-N.Y. (Roll Call #302). The PLA language was controversial among most Democrats and a handful of Republicans; its removal sped passage of what is usually a strongly bipartisan bill! . President Obama threatened to veto the bill because the House GOP has set total FY13 appropriations levels below what had been agreed to in last year's debt-ceiling standoff. Because the House kept funding levels in this bill constant with last year, deeper cuts will be necessary in other appropriations bills, which the administration views as unacceptable. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Paycheck Fairness Act - S.3220 On Tuesday, the Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on a motion to proceed to a bill addressing gender-based salary discrepancies. Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 - H.R.5325 The House began debate last week on its bill to fund the Energy Department for FY13. Amendment votes and final passage are expected this week. Health Care Cost Reduction Act of 2012 - H.R.436 Also up for consideration is a bill combining three measures passed last week by the House Ways and Means Committee. The combined measure would repeal the medical device tax included in the Affordable Care Act, as well as another provision in that law prohibiting the purchase of non-prescription drugs using money from HSAs and FSAs. The last section of the bill would allow money left in an FSA at the end of a plan year to be returned to a participant and treated as taxable income. | |
| May 29, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The Senate is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| FDA User Fee Reauthorization - Vote Passed (96-1, 3 Not Voting) After extensive wrangling between the parties about which amendments would be allowed a floor vote, the Senate last week passed a bill to reauthorize Food and Drug Administration user fees for five years. The FDA relies on the fees, levied primarily on the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, to fund reviews of those same industries’ products. Two new user fee programs, for generic and generic biologic drugs, would be created under the bill. The bill would also permanently reauthorize programs to encourage the development of drugs for pediatric patients. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., was the lone “no” vote. He felt the bill did not do enough to lower the cost of prescription d! rugs (An amendment introduced by John McCain, R-Ariz., to allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada, failed 43-54, Senate Roll Call #108). The House will debate its version of the reauthorization this week. President Obama has endorsed the Senate bill. The current authorization expires September 30, and leaders of both parties have prioritized getting this item to the president well ahead of time. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Student Loan Interest Rates – Republican Substitute - Vote Rejected (34-62, 1 Present, 3 Not Voting) Part of the deal for bringing the FDA user fee bill to the floor was allowing a vote on the GOP version of legislation to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling. Republicans offered a substitute amendment to a bill that Majority Leader Harry Reid had brought to the floor earlier this month. Closely mirroring bills already passed in the House and introduced previously by the Senate GOP (H.R.4628, S.2366), the substitute would pay for maintaining current interest rates by eliminating a preventive health fund created by the 2010 health care overhaul. An agreement between Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell required 60 votes for passage. ! Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Student Loan Interest Rates – Democratic Version - Vote Rejected (51-43, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting) Immediately after rejecting the Republican substitute, the Senate moved on to rejecting the Democrats’ version. The Democrats would pay for their bill by eliminating a tax preference for certain shareholders of S Corporations. This is the second time S.2343 was voted on but the first time the bill itself was considered; on May 8 the Republicans successfully filibustered a motion to proceed (Senate Roll Call Number 89). With the House having passed its version, it is up to the Senate to pass a bill that could at least be the basis of some sort of compromise. Rates are set to go up on July 1. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012 - H.R.5651 As noted above, the House will take up its version of the FDA user fee reauthorization this week. It will be considered under suspension of the rules, indicating it is expected to pass easily. Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012 - H.R.3541 This bill would prohibit performing abortions based on the sex of the child. It sparked fireworks every step of the way as it wound through the Judiciary Committee, and the floor debate on Wednesday should prove equally lively. National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act - H.R.5740 Before breaking last week, the Senate passed by unanimous consent an amended version of this bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program. The amendment would extend the program's coverage through July and exclude second and vacation homes from receiving subsidized rates. Both chambers continue to search for a path forward on a long-term reauthorization. Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 - H.R.5743 This bill would reauthorize the programs of U.S. spy agencies. Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 - H.R.5854 This would be the second appropriations bill considered by the House this year. Usually one of the least controversial appropriations measures, "MilCon-VA" funds veterans’ health programs and construction of military facilities in the U.S. and abroad. One interesting note: unlike the Commerce-Justice-Science measure that passed May 10, this bill will not be given an open rule, meaning the opportunity to offer amendments on the floor will be limited. | |
| May 22, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Paul Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (16-83, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.084 trillion. According to the Senator, his resolution would balance the budget in five years and cut the national deficit by $2 trillion over ten years. It introduces means-testing requirements to Social Security and raises the retirement age to 70 by 2032. It would also means-test Medicare and raise the age of eligibility to 70 over a 20-year window. Senior citizens would be permitted to enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan used by congressional Members and staff. The resolution would set a flat tax rate of 17 percent for all individuals and businesses and eliminate all credits and dedu! ctions except the child credit and mortgage interest deduction. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Lee Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (17-82, 1 Not Voting) The budget resolution from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.269 trillion. It purports to balance the budget by 2017 through myriad changes to entitlements and the tax code as well as reducing spending to 17.8 percent of GDP over ten years. It would establish a single 25% tax rate for individuals and businesses while eliminating the payroll, estate, and any investment taxes. Social Security would be means-tested and the retirement age would rise to 68. Medicare participants would be able to enroll in a “premium-support” or voucher program. Total Medicare spending would be capped at the level of the Consumer Price Index plus one percent. Medicaid would bec! ome a block grant program. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (70-24, 6 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein of Massachusetts to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (74-21, 5 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Export-Import Bank Reauthorization - Vote Passed (78-20, 2 Not Voting) This bill would extend the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States through FY 2014. It would allow the bank’s lending limit to rise incrementally to $140 billion (from $100 billion currently). Following House passage last week, the Senate cleared this bill for the president’s signature, narrowly avoiding the May 31 expiration of the bank’s charter. Passage followed several failed amendment votes, among them a vote to terminate the bank within one year. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio “Obama” Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (0-99, 1 Not Voting) The Senate unanimously rejected this budget resolution, which was the GOP’s interpretation of President Obama’s FY 13 budget proposal. It would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.982 trillion. This marks the second time Senate Republicans have introduced what they call the president’s budget for a floor vote, and the second time the proposal has failed to garner a single “yea” vote. This was the first of five budget resolutions the Senate voted on last week, each one a “messaging” vote since both chambers have already set spending levels for their respective FY 13 appropriations bills. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Ryan Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (41-58, 1 Not Voting) In another reprisal of last year’s budget theater, the House-passed budget drafted by Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., failed in a party-line Senate vote. The resolution would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.794 trillion. As happened last year, all Democrats voted “nay” along with Independents Bernard Sanders (Vt.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.). All Republicans voted “yay” with the exceptions of Sens. Scott P. Brown (Mass.), Susan Collins (Maine), Dean Heller (Nev.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Olympia J. Snowe (Maine). Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES Toomey Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (42-57, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.843 trillion. It purports to create a balanced budget within eight years, in part by reducing spending to about 18.3 percent of GDP. It would also create a two-thirds supermajority requirement for votes to exceed discretionary spending levels set forth in the resolution and a three-fifths supermajority to make any advance appropriation unless the latter are for a handful of accounts at the Veterans Affairs Administration. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES.....! .send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio ......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization - Vote Passed (222-205, 4 Not Voting) The House last week passed its version of a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Originally passed in 1994, the bill had been reauthorized twice without controversy until this year. The Senate version (S 1925), passed April 26, created several new provisions to which the House objected, such as expanding protections to include LGBT victims. President Obama has threatened to veto the House bill. While it looked like the two bills were headed to a conference committee following House passage, it was discovered late last week that the Senate bill contained a revenue-raising provision, causing the House to raise constitutional objections. The path forward at th! is point is not clear. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Suspension Vote: Iran Sanctions Resolution - Vote Passed (401-11, 9 Present, 10 Not Voting) In a shot across the bow of world leaders gathered last weekend for the G8 Summit, the House loudly expressed its position on Iran. While reiterating that it is a “vital national interest” of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a “nuclear capability,” the resolution also comes down firmly against any proposed “containment” policy. Debate has raged about what U.S. “red lines” are with regard to Iran’s uranium enrichment program, and there is some question as to what exactly a “nuclear capability” would mean. If it means having a certain amount of enriched uranium, for example, that is a much different! standard than having the ability to arm a missile with a nuclear warhead. Perhaps with that in mind, the resolution also demands that Iran end its ballistic missile program. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Flood Insurance Extension - Vote Passed (402-18, 11 Not Voting) Hoping to avoid a May 31 expiration date, the House passed a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. The bill would extend the program’s authorization through June 30, allowing homeowners living in flood zones to purchase private insurance. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., attempted to pass a different extension last week by unanimous consent, but Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., objected. Republicans in both chambers want a complete overhaul of the program in exchange for a multi-year extension. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES! ......send e-mail or see bio National Defense Authorization, FY 2013 - Vote Passed (299-120, 12 Not Voting) The House passed its version of the annual defense policy bill last week following two days of debate and dozens of amendments. The bill would provide $643 billion for FY 13, including $88.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan. The topline figure exceeds agreed-upon spending levels from last year’s Budget Control Act (PL 112-25) by $8 billion. Amendment debate ranged widely, from the sale of fighter jets to Taiwan to the detention of terrorism suspects arrested on U.S. soil. President Obama has issued a veto threat on this bill. The Senate Armed Services Committee is slated to mark up its version this week. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act - S.3187 The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to this bill, which would reauthorize FDA user fees. | |
| May 21, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Paul Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (16-83, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.084 trillion. According to the Senator, his resolution would balance the budget in five years and cut the national deficit by $2 trillion over ten years. It introduces means-testing requirements to Social Security and raises the retirement age to 70 by 2032. It would also means-test Medicare and raise the age of eligibility to 70 over a 20-year window. Senior citizens would be permitted to enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan used by congressional Members and staff. The resolution would set a flat tax rate of 17 percent for all individuals and businesses and eliminate all credits and dedu! ctions except the child credit and mortgage interest deduction. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Lee Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (17-82, 1 Not Voting) The budget resolution from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $3.269 trillion. It purports to balance the budget by 2017 through myriad changes to entitlements and the tax code as well as reducing spending to 17.8 percent of GDP over ten years. It would establish a single 25% tax rate for individuals and businesses while eliminating the payroll, estate, and any investment taxes. Social Security would be means-tested and the retirement age would rise to 68. Medicare participants would be able to enroll in a “premium-support” or voucher program. Total Medicare spending would be capped at the level of the Consumer Price Index plus one percent. Medicaid would bec! ome a block grant program. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (70-24, 6 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein of Massachusetts to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Agency Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (74-21, 5 Not Voting) The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jerome H. Powell of Maryland to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Export-Import Bank Reauthorization - Vote Passed (78-20, 2 Not Voting) This bill would extend the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States through FY 2014. It would allow the bank’s lending limit to rise incrementally to $140 billion (from $100 billion currently). Following House passage last week, the Senate cleared this bill for the president’s signature, narrowly avoiding the May 31 expiration of the bank’s charter. Passage followed several failed amendment votes, among them a vote to terminate the bank within one year. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio “Obama” Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (0-99, 1 Not Voting) The Senate unanimously rejected this budget resolution, which was the GOP’s interpretation of President Obama’s FY 13 budget proposal. It would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.982 trillion. This marks the second time Senate Republicans have introduced what they call the president’s budget for a floor vote, and the second time the proposal has failed to garner a single “yea” vote. This was the first of five budget resolutions the Senate voted on last week, each one a “messaging” vote since both chambers have already set spending levels for their respective FY 13 appropriations bills. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Ryan Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (41-58, 1 Not Voting) In another reprisal of last year’s budget theater, the House-passed budget drafted by Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., failed in a party-line Senate vote. The resolution would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.794 trillion. As happened last year, all Democrats voted “nay” along with Independents Bernard Sanders (Vt.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.). All Republicans voted “yay” with the exceptions of Sens. Scott P. Brown (Mass.), Susan Collins (Maine), Dean Heller (Nev.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Olympia J. Snowe (Maine). Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES Toomey Budget Resolution - Vote Rejected (42-57, 1 Not Voting) This budget resolution introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. would set new FY 2013 budget authority at $2.843 trillion. It purports to create a balanced budget within eight years, in part by reducing spending to about 18.3 percent of GDP. It would also create a two-thirds supermajority requirement for votes to exceed discretionary spending levels set forth in the resolution and a three-fifths supermajority to make any advance appropriation unless the latter are for a handful of accounts at the Veterans Affairs Administration. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES.....! .send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio ......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization - Vote Passed (222-205, 4 Not Voting) The House last week passed its version of a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Originally passed in 1994, the bill had been reauthorized twice without controversy until this year. The Senate version (S 1925), passed April 26, created several new provisions to which the House objected, such as expanding protections to include LGBT victims. President Obama has threatened to veto the House bill. While it looked like the two bills were headed to a conference committee following House passage, it was discovered late last week that the Senate bill contained a revenue-raising provision, causing the House to raise constitutional objections. The path forward at th! is point is not clear. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Suspension Vote: Iran Sanctions Resolution - Vote Passed (401-11, 9 Present, 10 Not Voting) In a shot across the bow of world leaders gathered last weekend for the G8 Summit, the House loudly expressed its position on Iran. While reiterating that it is a “vital national interest” of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a “nuclear capability,” the resolution also comes down firmly against any proposed “containment” policy. Debate has raged about what U.S. “red lines” are with regard to Iran’s uranium enrichment program, and there is some question as to what exactly a “nuclear capability” would mean. If it means having a certain amount of enriched uranium, for example, that is a much different! standard than having the ability to arm a missile with a nuclear warhead. Perhaps with that in mind, the resolution also demands that Iran end its ballistic missile program. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Flood Insurance Extension - Vote Passed (402-18, 11 Not Voting) Hoping to avoid a May 31 expiration date, the House passed a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. The bill would extend the program’s authorization through June 30, allowing homeowners living in flood zones to purchase private insurance. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., attempted to pass a different extension last week by unanimous consent, but Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., objected. Republicans in both chambers want a complete overhaul of the program in exchange for a multi-year extension. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES! ......send e-mail or see bio National Defense Authorization, FY 2013 - Vote Passed (299-120, 12 Not Voting) The House passed its version of the annual defense policy bill last week following two days of debate and dozens of amendments. The bill would provide $643 billion for FY 13, including $88.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan. The topline figure exceeds agreed-upon spending levels from last year’s Budget Control Act (PL 112-25) by $8 billion. Amendment debate ranged widely, from the sale of fighter jets to Taiwan to the detention of terrorism suspects arrested on U.S. soil. President Obama has issued a veto threat on this bill. The Senate Armed Services Committee is slated to mark up its version this week. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act - S.3187 The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to this bill, which would reauthorize FDA user fees. | |
| May 14, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
| |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Judicial Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (91-3, 6 Not Voting) The Senate confirmed the nomination of Jacqueline H. Nguyen of California to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Cloture Motion: Student Loan Interest Rates - Vote Rejected (52-45, 1 Present, 2 Not Voting) This bill would extend the current 3.4 percent interest rate on federally-subsidized Stafford loans to undergraduate students for one year. This extension would be paid for by eliminating a tax preference for certain shareholders of S-Corporations. The Senate failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to invoke cloture, and thereby end debate, on the motion to proceed to the bill. It is possible the Senate will hold another cloture vote on this bill. The House passed a competing version (H.R.4628) on April 27. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted ! NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Suspension Vote: Export-Import Bank Reauthorization - Vote Passed (330-93, 8 Not Voting) This bill would extend the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States through FY 2014. It would allow the bank's lending limit to rise incrementally to $140 billion (from $100 billion currently). HR 2072 passed under suspension of the rules, meaning the support of at least two thirds of all Members voting (in this case 282) is required for passage. The Senate will take up H.R.2072 on Monday, May 14, with a cloture vote scheduled. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Suspension Vote: U.S.-Israel Cooperation - Vote Passed (411-2, 9 Present, 9 Not Voting) This bill states that it shall be U.S. policy to deepen cooperation with Israel in a wide variety of areas, particularly regarding Israel’s "qualitative military edge" over regional rivals; to veto anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations; and to assist Israel in ongoing negotiations on a two-state solution. The bill also extends U.S.-government-backed loan guarantees to Israel through FY 2015. HR 4133 passed under suspension of the rules, meaning the support of at least two thirds of all Members voting (in this case 276) is required for passage. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland! voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sequester Replacement - Vote Passed (218-199, 1 Present, 13 Not Voting) This bill cancels the automatic discretionary spending cuts instituted by last year's debt-ceiling agreement and replaces those cuts with a different set of reductions to a variety of mandatory spending programs, as well as a reduction on the overall spending limit for all FY 2013 appropriations bills. The bill separately eliminates the cap on defense spending instituted by the debt-limit agreement to accommodate a higher level of spending in that area. The Senate is unlikely to take up this bill. The President has issued a veto threat. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations, FY 2013 - Vote Passed (247-163, 21 Not Voting) This appropriations bill provides $51.1 billion dollars in funding in FY 2013 for the departments of Commerce and Justice and other agencies such as NASA and the National Science Foundation. This funding level would be $1.8 billion less than in FY 2012 and $731 million less than the president requested for the upcoming fiscal year. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill on April 19, but floor time has not been scheduled. The President has threatened a veto on the House version. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES ......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 - H.R.2072 The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to this House-passed bill. Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act of 2012 - S.2343 The Senate will likely continue consideration of this bill, with another cloture vote possible. Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 - H.R.4970 The House will take up a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which aims to foster cooperation among law enforcement, public health and other organizations in combating domestic violence and other crimes against women. The Senate passed its version on April 26. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 - H.R.4310 The House aims to pass its version of the annual defense policy bill. | |
| April 30, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Editor's Note: The Senate and House are in recess this week. They will return on Monday, May 7. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 - Vote Passed (62-37, 1 Not Voting) The Senate passed its U.S. Postal Service overhaul bill. The bill seeks to trim the workforce by about 100,000 employees through attrition and delays efforts to eliminate Saturday delivery and close some post offices. The House has yet to pass its version of the bill. The postmaster estimates the agency needs to trim $22 billion in operating costs to remain in business. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (68-31, 1 Not Voting) The Senate voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act for another five years. The 1994 law gives federal law enforcement agencies tools to combat crime against women. The reauthorization adds provisions relating to Native American and immigrant women, and sexual orientation. The House is likely to pass a bill similar to the current authorization. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act - Vote Passed (248-168, 15 Not Voting) This House bill directs the Director of National Intelligence to develop procedures to share cyber-threat information on a voluntary basis between the government's intelligence community and the private sector. The White House has threatened to veto the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Interest Rate Reduction Act - Vote Passed (215-195, 22 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would keep the interest rate for government-subsidized student loans at 3.4 percent. The rate is scheduled to rise to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2012. To offset the estimated $6 billion cost of maintaining the current interest rate, the bill would repeal the $12 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund which was created by the 2010 health care reform bill. The White House supports keeping the current interest rate, but has threatened to veto this bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| April 23, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
| |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Cloture Motion; Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012 - Vote Rejected (51-45, 4 Not Voting) The Senate failed to reach the sixty vote threshold needed to move forward on this bill to raise tax rates on taxpayers earning more than $1 million. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 - Vote Passed (274-146, 11 Not Voting) This bill would codify the use of public lands for recreational hunting, shooting and fishing unless the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service determines it is necessary to prohibit those activities. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II - Vote Passed (293-127, 11 Not Voting) The House passed this three-month highway and transportation program bill that will serve as the vehicle to negotiate a long-term bill with the Senate. The Senate passed a two-year, $109 billion bill in March. House Republicans would like a five year bill. The current extension runs out June 30, 2012. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Small Business Tax Cut Act - Vote Passed (235-173, 1 Present, 22 Not Voting) This House bill would give businesses with fewer than 500 employees a 20 percent tax deduction for the 2012 tax year. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 - S.1789 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service. Violence Against Women Act - S.1925 The Senate may vote on this bill to renew the Violence Against Women Act. NLRB union election rule - S.J.RES.36 This Senate resolution would disapprove of a National Labor Relations Board rule regarding the timing of union elections. Cybersecurity Enhancement Act - H.R.2096 This House bill would fund cybersecurity research. Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act - H.R.3523 This bill would establish procedures for sharing cyber-threat intelligence. | |
| April 2, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Editor's Note: Congress is in recess this week and next. The Senate and House both return on April 16. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 - Vote Rejected (51-46, 3 Not Voting) This postal overhaul bill did not receive the necessary 60 votes to proceed to debate. The bill would allow the Postal Service to recoup around $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use that money to provide financial incentives to about 100,000 employees to retire, as well as delay the plan to end Saturday delivery for two years. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act - Vote Rejected (51-47, 2 Not Voting) This legislation would repeal some tax breaks for large oil and gas companies and use the revenue generated by these tax repeals to pay for an extension of renewable-energy tax credits and incentives. The bill did not receive the necessary 60 votes to end debate and is unlikely to be considered again. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (247-174, 10 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would overhaul Federal Communications Commission regulatory procedures and curb the agency’s ability to set conditions on transactions related to corporate mergers and acquisitions. The bill’s future is uncertain. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Surface Transportation Extension Act - Vote Passed (266-158, 7 Not Voting) On Thursday the House passed this bill to extend authorization for surface transportation programs through June 30. The Senate cleared the bill by voice vote later the same day, sending the bill to the president. President Obama signed it the next day. This extension gives the House and Senate more time to negotiate a long-term transportation bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Democratic Alternative Budget - Vote Failed (163-262, 6 Not Voting) The Democrats offered a substitute budget amendment that would provide $1.05 trillion in discretionary spending for fiscal 2013, including $546 billion for defense spending. The amendment includes a permanent extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for the middle class, but would end nearly $1 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and close a variety of corporate tax loopholes. The amendment was rejected. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Fiscal 2013 House Budget Resolution - Vote Passed (228-191, 12 Not Voting) The House passed this budget resolution providing for $1.03 trillion in discretionary spending. That amount is $19 billion less than the discretionary target agreed to as part of last summer’s deal to raise the debt ceiling. The resolution calls for spending cuts through restructuring Medicare, converting Medicaid and the food stamp program into block grants to states, and repealing the 2010 health care law. It also calls for an overhaul of the tax code. The Senate is likely to reject the House budget resolution. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| March 26, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
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| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act - Vote Passed (73-26, 1 Not Voting) This bill would ease reporting and regulatory requirements for small businesses trying to raise capital in order to take the company public. The House passed the bill on March 8, 2012. The Senate adopted an amendment to the bill which will require the House to vote again. It is expected the House will pass the bill this week and send the bill to the president. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (223-181, 4 Present, 23 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) and cap damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. IPAB was created by the 2010 health care law and is charged with finding savings in Medicare spending. It has no members yet. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act - S.2204 This Senate bill would eliminate tax breaks for the oil and gas industry. 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 - S.1789 The Senate is scheduled to hold a test vote on this bill to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service. Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 - H.R.4239 The House is scheduled to take up a 90-day transportation bill in order to give congressional leaders time to work out a long-term bill. 2013 budget resolution - H.CON.RES.__ Later this week, the House will take up its fiscal 2013 budget proposal. | |
| March 19, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: The House was not in session last week. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act - Vote Passed (74-22, 4 Not Voting) The Senate passed this $109 billion bill that would fund transportation programs and projects for the next two years. It is unclear at this time whether the House will pass a two or five year bill. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act - H.R.3606 The Senate is scheduled to take up this House-passed bill that is intended to make it easier for small and mid-sized companies to go public. Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 - H.R.5 This House bill would place caps on damages in certain medical malpractice lawsuits. | |
| March 13, 2012 In this MegaVote for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes
Upcoming Congressional Bills
Editor's Note: Past MegaVote newsletters can now be found online at the redesigned Congress.org website. | |
| Recent Senate Votes | |
| Keystone XL Pipeline - Vote Rejected (56-42, 2 Not Voting) During the debate over the transportation bill, the Senate rejected this amendment that would have allowed construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to proceed without presidential approval. Sixty votes were needed to adopt the amendment. Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Recent House Votes | |
| Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (265-154, 13 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would encourage the development of small-scale hydropower facilities on federal lands. The bill's future in the Senate is unclear. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act - Vote Passed (390-23, 19 Not Voting) This House bill would ease reporting and regulatory requirements for small businesses trying to raise capital in order to take the company public. The White House supports the bill, but its path in the Senate is unclear. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted YES......send e-mail or see bio | |
| Upcoming Votes | |
| Surface transportation authorization - S.1813 The Senate is scheduled to continue work on their two-year, $109 billion bill to fund transportation projects. | |