April 25, 2016

In this MegaVote for Hawaii's 1st & 2nd Congressional Districts:

Recent Congressional Votes

Senate: Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization – Passage

Senate: Energy Policy – Passage

Senate: Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Eliminate Funding for Various Commissions

Senate: Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program

House: IRS Hiring – Passage

House: IRS Oversight and User Fees - Passage

House: Bar IRS from Rehiring Certain Employees – Passage

Upcoming Congressional Bills

Senate: Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations

House: Private Market Investors

House: Washington D.C. School Vouchers

House: Block Fiduciary Rule

Recent Senate Votes

Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization – Passage - Vote Passed (95-3, 2 Not Voting)

The Senate passed a measure which authorizes $33.1 billion in funding for FAA programs through fiscal 2017, including those related to unmanned aircraft, equipment certification, and aircraft control system technology.

Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES

Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES

Energy Policy – Passage - Vote Passed (85-12, 3 Not Voting)

The chamber passed a bill which streamlines the permitting for liquefied natural gas exports, mandates improvements to the electric grid's reliability and security, raises energy efficiency standards for commercial and federal buildings, and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES

Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES

Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Eliminate Funding for Various Commissions - Vote Rejected (25-71, 4 Not Voting)

The chamber rejected an amendment by Joni Ernst, R-Neb., that would have cut $200 million from a number of joint state-federal commissions that promote economic development, infrastructure improvements and job training across four regions of the country.

Sen. Brian Schatz voted NO

Sen. Mazie Hirono voted NO

Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations – Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program - Vote Rejected (48-49, 3 Not Voting)

The Senate rejected an amendment by Dan Coats, R-Ind., that would have limited the use of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program. The vote was subject to a 60-vote threshold.

Sen. Brian Schatz voted NO

Sen. Mazie Hirono voted NO

Recent House Votes

IRS Hiring – Passage - Vote Passed (254-170, 9 Not Voting)

The chamber passed a measure which prohibits the IRS from hiring any new employees until the Treasury Department certifies that no IRS worker has serious tax delinquencies. The measure defines such delinquency as an outstanding debt under the Internal Revenue Code for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO

Rep. Mark Takai voted NO

IRS Oversight and User Fees - Passage - Vote Passed (245-179, 9 Not Voting)

The House passed a bill which makes Internal Revenue Service spending of the user fees it collects subject to the annual appropriations process, thereby blocking the IRS from spending collected user fees unless Congress provides for such spending in appropriations acts. This restriction would apply to all IRS user fees collected after the date of enactment.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO

Rep. Mark Takai voted NO

Bar IRS from Rehiring Certain Employees – Passage - Vote Passed (260-158, 15 Not Voting)

The House passed a measure which prohibits the IRS from rehiring former employees who were previously removed or terminated for misconduct. It would apply with respect to any IRS employee removed at any time (before, on or after the date of enactment.)

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO

Rep. Mark Takai voted NO

Upcoming Votes

Fiscal 2017 Energy-Water Appropriations - HR2028

The measure would provide $37.5 billion in fiscal 2017 for various items including $6 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, $5.4 billion for Department of Energy science research and $12.9 billion for the Department’s nuclear security programs.

Private Market Investors - HR4498

The bill would expand the circumstances under which events where businesses offer unregistered securities in the private market would not be considered "general solicitations" that otherwise require the issuer to verify that the individuals attending the events are accredited investors.

Washington D.C. School Vouchers - HR4901

The bill would reauthorize for five years, through fiscal 2021, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results program, under which federal funding is provided to eligible students in Washington, D.C., to allow them to attend private schools, and modify the program to provide for greater student participation and to mandate greater accountability by the private schools that participate in the program.

Block Fiduciary Rule - HJRES88

The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on April 8, 2016, commonly known as the fiduciary rule on retirement investment advice, that subjects broker-dealers who oversee such investments to the fiduciary standard and stipulates what types of activities and communications would give rise to fiduciary investment advice responsibilities.