from GovTrack.us, April 13, 2024
Mayorkas Impeachment Trial
This week the House was going to send the impeachment articles to the Senate on Wednesday evening, but mid-day Wednesday, Speaker Johnson announced he was postponing until this coming Monday, 4/15, at the request of Senate Republicans who wanted more time to impede a swift end to the Senate's part. However, today, Rep. Green (R-TN7) told Ellis Kim the articles would go over on Tuesday, 4/16.
Bills Passed in the House
We mentioned a few bills on Mastodon last week that would likely be voted on this week and they were and they all passed by significant margins:
FISA Section 702
Section 702 of the FISA law has been the subject of significant intra-party wrangling for both Democrats and Republicans since last fall. However, because Republicans have the majority in the House and are in charge of committees, the disagreements between Republicans have gotten the most attention. The main battle has been between the chairs of Intelligence, Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH10) and Judiciary, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH4).
Turner wants expansion of the use of warrantless surveillance via Section 702 and Jordan wants an end to warrantless surveillance via Section 702. Many Democrats and the White House are on Turner's end of the argument: they oppose a warrant requirement and may want expanded use of 702. On the other hand, many of the farthest left Democrats in the House are in agreement with Jordan and some other of the farthest right Republicans that warrants should be required now for 702 purposes.
The bill that Speaker Johnson has put on the floor is H.R. 7888: Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act. It does not address the question of warrants. So six amendments have been offered today. All descriptions and vote totals below curtesy of the House Press Gallery X account.
Now that H.R. 7888 has passed 273-147 (per House Press Gallery) and all but the warrant requirement of the amendments passed, it goes to the Senate which will either have to agree or send back something else to the House in time for a vote by April 19 or Section 702 authority expires.
If you have strong feelings about Section 702 and how high or how low the barriers to its use should be, now is the time to contact your Senators.
Post updated with vote results about an hour after its original publication.
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Hawaii Congressional Delegation
Apr 8, 2024 — Introduced
S.Res. 628: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative, a call to action to communities across the country to demand equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and freedom from
Sponsor: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Apr 8, 2024 5:24 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Susan M. Bazis to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Nebraska: Susan M. Bazis, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska
Cloture Motion Agreed to 68/18
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 9, 2024 11:32 a.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN1291: Susan M. Bazis, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska
Nomination Confirmed 78/21
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 9, 2024 12:32 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Robert J. White to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan: Robert J. White, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan
Cloture Motion Agreed to 58/42
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 9, 2024 3:20 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN1405: Robert J. White, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan
Nomination Confirmed 58/42
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 9, 2024 4:27 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Ann Marie McIff Allen to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Utah: Ann Marie McIff Allen, of Utah, to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah
Cloture Motion Agreed to 97/2
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 9, 2024 6:58 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 6655: A Stronger Workforce for America Act
Passed 378/26
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Not Voting
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Apr 9, 2024 7:11 p.m. — Vote
S. 2051: A bill to reauthorize the Missing Children’s Assistance Act, and for other purposes.
Passed 406/0
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Not Voting
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Apr 10, 2024 12:05 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN1290: Ann Marie McIff Allen, of Utah, to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah
Nomination Confirmed 100/0
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 10, 2024 1:59 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 1125: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7888) to reform the Foreign Intelligence …
Passed 210/209
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Apr 10, 2024 2:13 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 1125: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7888) to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 529) to extend the customs waters of the United States from 12 nautical miles to 2
Failed 193/228
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Apr 10, 2024 2:24 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3250: National Museum of Play Recognition Act
Passed 385/31
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Apr 10, 2024 3:04 p.m. — Vote
S.J.Res. 61: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration relating to “National Performance Management Measures; Assessing Performan
Joint Resolution Passed 53/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Apr 10, 2024 5:25 p.m. — Vote
H.J.Res. 98: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to “Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status”.
Joint Resolution Passed 50/48
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Apr 11, 2024 — Introduced
S.Res. 637: A resolution expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the br
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Apr 11, 2024 12:37 p.m. — Vote
On the Motion to Proceed PN1252: Ramona Villagomez Manglona, of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be Judge for the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands for a term of ten years
Motion to Proceed Agreed to 49/44
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Not Voting
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 11, 2024 1:56 p.m. — Vote
On the Motion (Motion to Recess Until Monday, April 15, 2024 at 3pm): Ramona Villagomez Manglona, of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be Judge for the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands for a term of ten years
Motion Agreed to 48/40
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Apr 11, 2024 4:48 p.m. — Vote
S. 382: A bill to take certain land in the State of Washington into trust for the benefit of the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation, and for other purposes.
Passed 401/15
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Not Voting
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Apr 11, 2024 4:56 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2560: Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023
Passed 332/82
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Not Voting
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Apr 12, 2024 9:20 a.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 1137: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7888) to reform the Foreign Intelligence …
Passed 208/202
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Not Voting
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Apr 12, 2024 9:31 a.m. — Vote
H.Res. 1137: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7888) to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 529) to extend the customs waters of the United States from 12 nautical miles to 2
Passed 213/208
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Apr 12, 2024 12:27 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 876 (Biggs) to H.R. 7888: To prohibit warrantless searches of U.S. person communications in the FISA 702 database, with exceptions for imminent threats to life or bodily harm, consent searches, or known cybersecurity threat signatures.
Failed 212/212
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Aye
Apr 12, 2024 12:32 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 877 (Roy) to H.R. 7888: To require the FBI to report to Congress on a quarterly basis the number of U.S. person queries conducted and permits Congressional leadership to attend Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court proceedings.
Agreed to 269/153
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Aye
Apr 12, 2024 12:36 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 879 (Crenshaw) to H.R. 7888: To modify the definition of foreign intelligence under section 702.
Agreed to 268/152
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Aye
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Apr 12, 2024 12:40 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 880 (Waltz) to H.R. 7888: To enable the use of section 702 information to vet foreigners traveling to the United States.
Agreed to 227/193
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Aye
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Apr 12, 2024 12:45 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 881 (Turner) to H.R. 7888: To modify the definition of electronic communication service provider under section 702.
Agreed to 236/186
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Aye
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Apr 12, 2024 12:57 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 7888: Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Passed 273/147
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Aye
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Aye