February 17, 2015
In this MegaVote for Hawaii's 1st & 2nd Congressional Districts:
Recent Congressional Votes
- Senate: Child Pornography Victims Restitution - Passage
- House: Keystone XL Pipeline – Passage
- House: Small Business Tax Extenders – Passage
Editor's Note: Both chambers are in recess this week.
Recent Senate Votes
Child Pornography Victims Restitution - Passage - Vote Passed (98-0, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate passed a bill that would expand restitution for victims of child pornography. The bill would expand a victim's losses to include medical services, therapy, rehabilitation, transportation, child care and lost income. It also would allow defendants who have contributed to the same victim's losses to spread the cost of restitution among themselves and establish minimum award levels for certain offenses.
Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES
Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES
Recent House Votes
Keystone XL Pipeline – Passage - Vote Passed (270-152, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would immediately allow TransCanada to construct, connect, operate and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities known as the Keystone XL pipeline, including any revision to the pipeline route within Nebraska as required or authorized by the state. It also would consider the January 2014 environmental impact statement issued by the State Department sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Rep. Mark Takai voted NO
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO
Small Business Tax Extenders – Passage - Vote Passed (272-142, 18 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would that would make permanent increased expensing limitations in the tax code that allow small businesses to deduct up to $500,000 of their equipment costs for a maximum of $2 million worth of property. The bill would make permanent the reduced recognition period for S corporations under which they could be taxed for sales of certain assets. It would make permanent a tax break for the charitable contributions of S corporations and allow them to qualify for the same tax exemptions that apply to individuals for charitable contributions.
Rep. Mark Takai voted NO
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted YES
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