How Maine’s members of Congress voted last week – Press Herald

Along with last weeks roll call votes, the House also passed the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (H.R. 7535), to encourage the migration of federal government information technology systems to quantum-resistant cryptography.

HOUSE VOTES

CARIBBEAN TIES: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 1168), sponsored by Del. Stacey E. Plaskett, D-V.I., stating the need to strengthen U.S. economic partnerships with Caribbean countries. Plaskett said the partnerships support budding democracies at our doorstep and create mutually beneficial economic stability with our neighbors. The vote, on July 12, was 351 yeas to 64 nays.

YEAS: Chellie Pingree, D-1st District; Jared Golden, D-2nd District

FEDERAL WORKER BENEFITS: The House has passed the First Responder Fair Return for Employees on Their Initial Retirement Earned Act (H.R. 521), sponsored by Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-Va. The bill would keep federal government workers classified as first responders for the purposes of receiving retirement benefits if those workers are disabled on the job and then move to non-first responder jobs within the federal government. Connolly said: We want to incentivize our first responders to continue their service to this nation. We shouldnt punish them for injuries they sustained protecting us. The vote, on July 12, was unanimous with 417 yeas.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

CYBERSECURITY TRAINING: The House has passed the National Computer Forensics Institute Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7174), sponsored by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. The bill would reauthorize, through 2032, the U.S. Secret Services National Computer Forensics Institute, which trains state and local law enforcement agencies in addressing cybersecurity and electronic crime. The vote, on July 13, was 410 yeas to 16 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

FENTANYL EXPOSURES: The House has passed the Prevent Exposure to Narcotics and Toxics Act (H.R. 5274), sponsored by Rep. David P. Joyce, R-Ohio, to require the Customs and Border Protection agency to distribute containment devices to its workers to prevent their exposure to fentanyl. Joyce called the requirement a simple but necessary extension of the tools we provide those who defend our borders and help them do their jobs safely. The vote, on July 13, was unanimous with 429 yeas.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERTS: The House has passed the Active Shooter Alert Act (H.R. 6538), sponsored by Rep. David N. Cicilline, D-R.I. The bill would establish an Active Shooter Alert Communications Network at the Justice Department, and have the network make plans for sending alerts about active shooters by working with local and state governments. Cicilline said the network will provide access to an important tool for law enforcement departments across the country, regardless of their size or location. An opponent, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said state and local governments already had adequate alert systems, and called the bill another failed attempt by Democrats to do something about the surge in violence and crime across the country. The vote, on July 13, was 260 yeas to 169 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

VETERANS AND TOXINS: The House has passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (S. 3373), sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., to increase medical benefits and treatments for military veterans who were exposed to toxins in Iraq and Afghanistan. A bill supporter, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., said it will help millions of veterans, servicemembers, survivors, and military families. The vote, on July 13, was 342 yeas to 88 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

MILITARY COMMISSIONS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would require the Defense Department to publish on the Internet the proceedings of military commissions. Schiff said the requirement would show the American people that we believe they have the right to observe military commission proceedings, including those against the individuals who planned the 9/11 attacks. An opponent, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said: Letting hardened terrorists know there is a public audience for their hate will do far more harm than good. The vote, on July 13, was 218 yeas to 207 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

CONTRACTOR LABOR PRACTICES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would bar the Defense Department from awarding contracts to employers found to have recently engaged in unfair labor practices. Jones said taxpayer dollars should go to companies that are helping to build and strengthen our country, not tear it down. An opponent, Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., said: This flawed blacklisting amendment will threaten federal contractors due process rights because a federal contractor could be prohibited from DOD contracts before a charge has been fully adjudicated. The vote, on July 13, was 221 yeas to 207 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

MILITARY LABOR STANDARDS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Janice Schakowsky, D-Ill., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would give preferential treatment to potential Defense Department contractors who meet certain labor relations standards. Schakowsky said the amendment was needed to prevent contractors from harassing workers. An opponent, Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., said that by favoring contractors who have signed neutrality agreements with workers who might unionize, the amendment would stifle employee free choice and prohibit employers from communicating with their employees about the downsides of union representation. The vote, on July 13, was 220 yeas to 209 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

MILITARY CONTRACTING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would give preferential treatment to potential Defense Department construction contractors with a majority of their employees living near the planned construction project. Kim said the preferential treatment will help small businesses and highly skilled workers in the building trades access new opportunities and unlock the local economic potential of military bases across the country. An opponent, Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., said it would increase time and money to an already difficult, lengthy, and often slow military construction process. The vote, on July 13, was 220 yeas to 207 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

MILITARY HARASSMENT CLAIMS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would require the military to complete its reviews of harassment and discrimination complaints within 6 months. Escobar said the time limit was needed because our servicemembers lack many of the protections and privileges that their civilian counterparts have when it comes to discrimination and harassment. An opponent, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said that by overturning current military procedures for reviewing complaints, this amendment creates an existential threat to the good order and discipline of the military. The vote, on July 13, was 219 yeas to 209 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

MILITARY HARM TO CIVILIANS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would authorize up to $5 million of annual spending on programs to mitigate civilian harm from military actions. Khanna said the funding would help make sure we have the resources to track and report and minimize civilian casualties. An opponent, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said it diverts critical dollars needed to ensure the readiness of our servicemembers to fulfill unnecessary paperwork requirements. The vote, on July 13, was 215 yeas to 212 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

NUCLEAR TESTS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would end limits on funding for the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization. Foster said of the need for increased funding: We must continue our efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons and continue longstanding commitments to our allies. An opponent, Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., said: This amendment would require American taxpayers to provide money to an organization for a treaty the United States is not even a party to. The vote, on July 13, was 216 yeas to 209 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

D.C. NATIONAL GUARD: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would give the mayor of Washington, D.C., authority over the Districts National Guard equal to authority the governors of the 50 states have over their National Guards. Norton said currently, presidential control over the D.C. National Guard creates a loophole in the Posse Comitatus Act which limits the militarys involvement in civil law enforcement. An opponent, Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., said: The D.C. mayor must not have equal authorities as governors of states and territories have over their National Guards because the D.C. mayor is not a governor. The vote, on July 13, was 218 yeas to 209 nays.

YEAS: Pingree

NAYS: Golden

WHITE SUPREMACY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Bradley Scott Schneider, D-Ill., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Department, and Defense Department to oppose white supremacist and neo-Nazi activity by agency employees. Schneider said: Extremism is a threat to us in all segments of society. There is no reason to believe that our military is any different. An opponent, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said: This amendment denigrates our men and women in the service. It is Orwellian in nature. The vote, on July 13, was 218 yeas to 208 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

DOMESTIC TERRORISM: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Department to send Congress a report on processes needed to improve their reports on domestic terrorism threats. Rice said the report would ensure that we give our agencies the tools they need to give us the best intelligence and information. An opponent, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said the amendment would enable the Biden administration to use existing counterterrorism resources as a tool to target and silence citizens who disagree with government actions. The vote, on July 13, was 220 yeas to 205 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

POSSE COMITATUS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), that would bar the use, in legal proceedings, of evidence obtained by military members in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which governs the involvement of the military in domestic law enforcement activities. Schiff said the measure would prevent any president of either party from unlawfully using the military as a domestic police force, and it would ensure that evidence obtained because of unlawful acts isnt used against any American. An opponent, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., raised concerns about the possible disuse of evidence regarding immigration law if members of the military were lawfully used for assistance at the border with Mexico. The vote, on July 14, was 215 yeas to 213 nays.

YEAS: Pingree

NAYS: Golden

MILITARY SPENDING: The House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900), sponsored by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., to authorize $850 billion of fiscal 2023 spending at the Defense Department and military construction programs, and prescribe military personnel levels for the year. Smith said of the need for the bill: The men and women who serve must have the tools and the support from us that they need to do that job. The vote, on July 14, was 329 yeas to 101 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

5G NETWORKS: The House has passed the Promoting United States International Leadership in 5G Act (H.R. 1934), sponsored by Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, to require the president to form an interagency government working group for supporting U.S. 5th generation (5G) mobile telecommunications systems. A supporter, Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., said: This bill will help ensure that the United States is doing all we can to stop Russian and Chinese malign influence taking control of the worlds 5G networks. The vote, on July 14, was 405 yeas to 20 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

SUDAN COUP: The House has passed a resolution (H. Con. Res. 59), sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., condemning last Octobers military coup in Sudan and calling for the restoration of the countrys constitutional leaders. The vote, on July 14, was 417 yeas to 7 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

VETERANS RECORDS: The House has passed the Access for Veterans to Records Act (H.R. 7337), sponsored by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., to require the U.S. Office of the Archivist to send Congress a plan for ways to reduce the backlog of processing veterans requests for National Personnel Records Center documents, and authorize $60 million of spending on that effort. Maloney said the current backlog of about 500 thousand records requests has left veterans and their families struggling as they wait to receive material needed to access housing, healthcare, and other government services. The vote, on July 14, was 406 yeas to 21 nays.

YEAS: Pingree, Golden

SENATE VOTES

MILITARY READINESS: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Ashish Vazirani to be the Defense Departments Deputy Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness. Vazirani, a longtime management consultant and former naval officer, is a senior official at the A2O Strategies business consultancy, and previously was CEO of the National Military Family Association. The vote, on July 12, was 73 yeas to 21 nays.

YEAS: Susan Collins, R-Maine; Angus King, I-Maine

BATF DIRECTOR: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Steven M. Dettelbach to be head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Dettelbach was a U.S. attorney in Ohio for most of the Obama administration and, since 2016, has been a partner at the BakerHostetler law firm. A supporter, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, called Dettelbach a career prosecutor with decades of experience fighting crime, religion-motivated violence, gun trafficking, and he is a proven consensus-builder with bipartisan support. The vote, on July 12, was 48 yeas to 46 nays.

YEAS: Collins, King

FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Michael Barr to be a member of the Federal Reserves board of governors for a 14-year term ending in 2032. Barr, an assistant secretary at the Treasury Department during part of the Obama administration, has since been a finance and public policy professor at the University of Michigan. A supporter, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said Barr has worked for a quarter century to make our financial system safer and fairer. The vote, on July 13, was 66 yeas to 28 nays. Barr was then confirmed, in a separate 66-28 vote, to also be the boards vice chairman for supervision for a four-year term.

YEAS: Collins, King

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Owen Herrnstadt to be a member of the board of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Herrnstadt, currently an executive at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, is also an employment and labor law professor at Georgetown University, and was formerly a Federal Reserve official. A supporter, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, praised Herrnsatdt as a 30-year-long labor activist, fighting for workers. The vote, on July 13, was 51 yeas to 44 nays.

YEAS: Collins, King

CIA GENERAL COUNSEL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kate Heinzelman to be the Central Intelligence Agencys general counsel. Currently a senior aide in the attorney generals office, Heinzelman had been a partner at a Washington, D.C., law firm, and a legal official in the Obama administration in various roles. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 41 nays.

YEAS: Collins, King

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How Maine's members of Congress voted last week - Press Herald