Hawaii Congressional Delegation: How They Voted July 22, 2013

Hawai'i Free Press

Monday, July 22, 2013

Hawaii Congressional Delegation: How They Voted July 22, 2013
By Congress.org @ 12:45 PM :: 3939 Views :: Congressional Delegation

In this MegaVote for Hawaii's 1st & 2nd Congressional Districts: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Cordray Nomination Confirmation Senate: Perez Nomination Confirmation Senate: McCarthy Nomination Confirmation House: Employer Health Insurance Mandate Delay Passage House: Individual Health Insurance Mandate Delay Passage House: Education Law Overhaul Passage Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Transportation & HUD Appropriations House: Defense Appropriations
Recent Senate Votes
Cordray Nomination Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (66-34) After an intense debate over a potential rules change to ban filibusters on executive branch nominations, the Senate proceeded to confirm several nominees offered by President Barack Obama. Richard Cordray of Ohio was confirmed as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ending a two year confirmation process that included a recess appointment in the beginning of last year. Twelve Republicans and the entire Democratic caucus voted in support of the nomination. Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES Perez Nomination Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (54-46) On Thursday, President Obamas nomination for Secretary of Labor, Thomas E. Perez, was confirmed by the Senate in a strictly party-line vote. Perez previously served as an Assistant Attorney General leading the Justice Departments civil rights division. Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES McCarthy Nomination Confirmation - Vote Confirmed (59-40, 1 Not Voting) After confirming Perez, the Senate quickly moved to confirm Gina McCarthy as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. McCarthy had served as the head of the EPAs air and radiation office since 2009. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia was the only dissenting Democrat vote, and six Republicans voted in favor of the nomination. Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES
Recent House Votes
Employer Health Insurance Mandate Delay Passage - Vote Passed (264-161, 8 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would delay a requirement from the 2010 health care overhaul for one year until the start of 2015. The requirement would mandate businesses with at least 50 full-time employees provide health insurance to their workers or pay a penalty. Morgan Griffith of Virginia was the only Republican to vote against the bill. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO Individual Health Insurance Mandate Delay Passage - Vote Passed (251-174, 8 Not Voting) After postponing the employer insurance mandate, the House moved a bill to postpone the same requirement of most individuals to maintain health insurance coverage or pay a penalty until the beginning of 2015. Once again, Griffith of Virginia was the only Republican to vote against the bill. Both the employer and individual mandate delays are unlikely to receive a vote in the Senate. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO Education Law Overhaul Passage - Vote Passed (221-207, 6 Not Voting) In the last vote of the week, the House passed its updated version of federal education policy despite a veto threat from President Obama and unified Democratic opposition to the legislation. The bill would extend for an additional five years the elementary and secondary education law that was last reauthorized in 2001 as part of President George W. Bushs No Child Left Behind initiative. The bill would reduce the federal governments role in education and give state and local officials more authority to develop their own standards and accountability assessments. The House adopted by voice vote an amendment from Republican Steve Scalise of Louisiana that would eliminate a requirement that states develop teacher evaluation systems. The Senate will most likely take up the legislation after the August recess. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO
Upcoming Votes
Transportation & HUD Appropriations - S.1243 The Senate has planned cloture votes this Tuesday on legislation that would fund the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments and related agencies. Defense Appropriations - H.R.2397 The House may vote later this week on a bill sponsored by Republican C.W. Bill Young of Florida that would fund the Defense department and related agencies.