Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted June 24, 2013

Hawai'i Free Press

Monday, June 24, 2013

Hawaii Congressional Delegation How They Voted June 24, 2013
By Congress.org @ 1:17 PM :: 4396 Views :: Congressional Delegation

June 24, 2013 In this MegaVote for Hawaii's 1st & 2nd Congressional Districts: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Froman Nomination Confirmation Senate: U.S. Immigration Policy Motion to Table Cornyn Amendment House: Abortion Ban Passage House: Farm Bill Passage Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: U.S. Immigration Policy House: Offshore Energy and Jobs Act
Recent Senate Votes
Froman Nomination Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (93-4, 1 Present, 2 Not Voting) Last Wednesday, the Senate took a short break from the immigration bill to confirm President Barack Obamas nomination of Michael Froman to be United States Trade Representative. He replaces Ron Kirk, who resigned in March. Froman was previously Obamas deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs. He is now tasked with the Cabinet-level position handling international trade agreements and investment issues on behalf of the administration. Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES U.S. Immigration Policy Motion to Table Cornyn Amendment - Vote Agreed to (54-43, 3 Not Voting) The Senates last vote of the week on Thursday was the approval of Majority Leader Harry Reids motion to table (kill) Texas Republican John Cornyns amendment that would require the Homeland Security Department to verify certain standards, including a 90 percent apprehension rate of illegal border crossers and a biometric screening system at all seaports and airports, are met before illegal immigrants could be granted permanent legal status. The largely partisan vote included only two Democrats, Manchin (W.Va.) and Pryor (Ark.) voting no; four Republicans voted yes: Flake and McCain (Ariz.), Graham (S.C.) and Paul (Ky.). Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES
Recent House Votes
Abortion Ban Passage - Vote Passed (228-196, 10 Not Voting) The House detoured briefly from debating the farm bill to pass a measure that forbids abortions performed at 20 weeks after fertilization or later. The bill makes an exception for cases where the womans life is in danger or where rape or incest has been reported to authorities. Under the measure, physicians who violate the ban would face a maximum five-year prison sentence, fines or both. Six Republicans voted against the legislation, while six Democrats voted in favor. The justification for the 20-week limit was the belief that an unborn fetus can feel pain by 20 weeks of pregnancy. Although the medical veracity of this theory is debated, a handful of states have passed laws with the same benchmark. The White House issued a veto threat on the bill, and Democrats who control the Senate are expected to ignore the measure. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO Farm Bill Passage - Vote Failed (195-234, 6 Not Voting) After working through more than 100 amendments, the House nevertheless rejected a five-year, $939 billion reauthorization of agricultural and nutrition programs. Sixty-two Republicans rebelled against their leaders and voted against the bill. All but two dozen Democrats voted no as well. Nutritional aid to the poor was the major point of conflict for the bills passage for both sides of the aisle. Although the bill cuts $33 billion from current law, the chambers most conservative Republican members argued spending reductions did not go far enough. Democrats, however, claimed that the bills $20.5 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) made mainly by changing eligibility requirements would disproportionately harm low-income families. Democrats also objected to a provision that mandated work requirements for SNAP recipients. Like the Senate bill, the measure would have ended direct payments to farmers, replacing them with revenue protections that would assist farmers when county revenue levels fall 15 percent to 25 percent below a five-year benchmark. It also consolidated several rural conservation programs. With the bills defeat, the House now will have to draft a new bill, adopt the one the Senate passed earlier this month, or pass another one-year extension like Congress had to do last year. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO
Upcoming Votes
U.S. Immigration Policy - S.744 The Senate will continue its work on this bill to overhaul the nations immigration policy. Offshore Energy and Jobs Act - H.R.2231 This week the House is scheduled to begin considering a measure that would implement a five-year oil and gas leasing program.