February 19, 2013
In this MegaVote for Virginia's 7th Congressional District:
Recent Congressional Votes
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Senate: Gender-based Violence Prevention – Final Passage
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Senate: Defense Secretary Nomination – Cloture
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House: Disaster Aid for Houses of Worship – Suspension
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House: Hydropower Regulation – Suspension
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House: Federal Pay Freeze Extension – Final Passage
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House: North Korea Nuclear Test
Editor's Note: The House and Senate are in recess until Monday, February 25.
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| Recent Senate Votes |
Gender-based Violence Prevention – Final Passage - Vote Passed (78-22)
The
Senate passed a comprehensive reauthorization of the Violence Against
Women Act (VAWA) last week, including a controversial provision that
grants expanded authority to tribal courts over non-American Indian
offenders. The bill would also expand protections for LGBT victims. VAWA
consists of a variety of grant programs to state and local law
enforcement agencies and service organizations that specialize in
treating victims of such crimes as rape, domestic violence, and
stalking. S. 47 extends VAWA for five years. The Senate debated several
amendments to the bill, notably defeating a proposal from Oklahoma
Republican Tom Coburn to remove the expanded tribal court authority
(Roll Call 14 ). Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy of Vermont successfully
attached a four-year extension of anti-human trafficking measures to the
overall bill (Roll Call 15 ). House leaders have been vague about their
plans regarding the legislation , which expired last year amid
disagreement between the two chambers. President Obama supports the
Senate bill.
Sen. Mark Warner voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
Sen. Tim Kaine voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
Defense Secretary Nomination – Cloture - Vote Rejected (58-40, 1 Present, 1 Not Voting)
One
of the more contentious nomination fights in recent memory was dragged
into the President’s Day recess when the Senate failed to invoke cloture
on Chuck Hagel’s bid to become Defense Secretary. The former Republican
senator from Nebraska endured a withering confirmation hearing on
January 31 , during which he was grilled for hours by fellow Republicans
on a narrow range of issues, particularly Israel and Iran. The
nomination passed out of the Armed Services Committee February 12 on a
straight party-line vote , and Reid attempted to end debate two days
later. Several Republican senators, including John McCain, Lindsey
Graham and Lamar Alexander stated that they would not vote for cloture
that day but would following the recess (though they would ultimately
oppose the nomination). After extended back and forth about whether the
Republicans were filibustering Hagel by essentially requiring 60 votes
to confirm him, the cloture vote failed. Four Republicans – Susan
Collins, Thad Cochran, Mike Johanns and Lisa Murkowski – joined all
Democrats and independents Angus King and Bernie Sanders in supporting
the motion. Republican Orrin Hatch of Utah voted “present,” which in
this instance had the same effect as a “no” vote.
Sen. Mark Warner voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
Sen. Tim Kaine voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
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| Recent House Votes |
Disaster Aid for Houses of Worship – Suspension - Vote Passed (354-72, 5 Not Voting)
This
bill would expand the definition of “private non-profit facilities”
eligible for federal disaster funding to include houses of worship such
as churches and synagogues. Many such buildings were damaged by
Hurricane Sandy, which brought the issue to lawmakers’ attention.
Rep. Eric Cantor voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
Hydropower Regulation – Suspension - Vote Passed (422-0, 9 Not Voting)
The House unanimously supported this measure to streamline permitting and regulation of hydropower facilities.
Rep. Eric Cantor voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
Federal Pay Freeze Extension – Final Passage - Vote Passed (261-154, 16 Not Voting)
Acting
to head off a scheduled cost-of-living-adjustment for federal civilian
employees, the House extended the freeze on their pay through the end of
the calendar year. Military pay is not affected by the bill.
Rep. Eric Cantor voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
North Korea Nuclear Test - Vote Passed (412-2, 17 Not Voting)
Responding
to a nuclear test conducted by the secretive Kim Jong-un regime in
North Korea , the House passed a resolution condemning the act and
calling for a new round of sanctions. Libertarian Republicans Justin
Amash of Michigan and Thomas Massie of Kentucky cast the only “no”
votes.
Rep. Eric Cantor voted YES......send
e-mail or see bio
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