Washington, D.C., Roll Call report

WASHINGTON — Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the week ending April 28.

Along with the week’s roll call votes, the Senate also passed: the Justice for Jana Elementary Act (S. 418), to provide financial assistance to schools impacted by radioactive contaminants; and a resolution (S. Res. 175), recognizing the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea.

House

RELATIONS WITH CHINA: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 90), sponsored by Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, to demand that China’s government immediately release from prison Mark Swidan, a U.S. citizen whom China sentenced to death in 2012 after being convicted of drug trafficking charges. Cloud said Swidan has been severely mistreated while in prison, and that “no drugs were ever found on Swidan or in his hotel room, and the prosecution did not produce any evidence tying him to the drugs.” The vote, on April 25, was unanimous with 418 yeas.

YEAS:

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-3rd

MIDDLE EAST DIPLOMACY: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 311), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., to encourage Middle East countries to join the Abraham Accords for improving relations between Israel and neighboring countries. Wagner said: “Israel is a force for peace and a beacon of democracy in a challenging region. At a time of heightened antisemitism across the globe, it is more important than ever that we maintain our strong connection to this very key ally.” The vote, on April 25, was 401 yeas to 19 nays.

YEAS:

Perez

EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS: The House has passed the Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications Parity Act (H.R. 1353), sponsored by Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio. The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to take measures to improve emergency communications services, such as 911 calls, in areas of the country that lack adequate services. Johnson said the bill would help “ensure everyone has access to critical lifesaving emergency services regardless of where they live or travel.” The vote, on April 26, was 422 yeas to 1 nay.

YEAS:

Perez

BUDGET CHANGES: The House has passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811), sponsored by Rep. Jodey C. Arrington, R-Texas. The bill would suspend the federal debt limit until spring 2024 and make numerous spending and policy changes, including rescinding unobligated funding for Covid and Internal Revenue Service programs, establishing work requirements for Medicaid and food stamp programs, and reducing subsidies for electric vehicles and energy efficiency and renewable energy. Arrington called the bill’s $4.8 trillion spending cut “an important first step to getting our fiscal house in order and a good faith effort to bring the president to the negotiating table” for budget talks. An opponent, Rep. Brendan F. Boyle, D-Pa., said the bill made risky cuts to public safety, health, and food programs, and represented “reckless brinkmanship” by raising doubts about whether the U.S. will pay its debt obligations. The vote, on April 26, was 217 yeas to 215 nays.

NAYS:

Perez

FCC AND PRECISION AGRICULTURE: The House has passed the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act (H.R. 1339), sponsored by Rep. Robert E. Latta, R-Ohio, to require the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate potential changes to its rules governing the use of satellites to enable precision agriculture practices. Latta said of the benefit of such changes: “Farmers use information in real time to make smarter decisions on how to optimize inputs and whether and when to plant or harvest. When terrestrial or cellular networks are not available, satellite broadband steps in to make these technologies work.” The vote, on April 26, was 409 yeas to 11 nays.

YEAS:

Perez

WITHDRAWAL FROM SOMALIA: The House has rejected a resolution (H. Con. Res. 30), sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that would have ordered the removal of U.S. soldiers stationed in Somalia within one year. Gaetz said, “I have yet to see the evidence that U.S. troops are the essential element to fusing relationships among warring African warlords, clans, and tribes” and succeed in stabilizing Somalia. An opponent, Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., voiced concerns that if the U.S. military leaves Somalia, “we will have an increase in terrorist activities” and therefore an increased threat to U.S. security. The vote, on April 27, was 102 yeas to 321 nays.

YEAS:

Perez

Senate

VETERANS’ BENEFITS: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Joshua David Jacobs to be the Veterans Affairs Department’s Under Secretary for Benefits. Jacobs is currently a senior benefits management advisory official at the VA, and was in a similar role at the VA during the Obama administration. A supporter, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Jacobs’ experience at the VA “shows his deep commitment to serving those who served our nation and why he is such a strong fit and trusted choice for this role.” The vote, on April 26, was 74 yeas to 25 nays.

YEAS:

Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Patty Murray, D-Wash.

REGULATING VEHICLE EMISSIONS: The Senate has passed a resolution (S.J. Res. 11), sponsored by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., to disapprove of and void an Environmental Protection Agency rule limiting nitrogen oxide air emissions from heavy-duty engines. Fischer said: “The technology required to meet this new rule’s standards will cost between approximately $2,500 and $8,500 per vehicle. This means that many truckers will choose to keep their old heavy-duty vehicles, which do have higher rates of emissions, instead of buying vehicles that are both affordable and more climate-conscious.” A resolution opponent, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said: “For the sake of clean air, for the sake of our environment, and for the sake of the health of all communities across the country, I urge you to oppose this repeal.” The vote, on April 26, was 50 yeas to 49 nays.

NAYS:

Cantwell, Murray