Rep. Al Green censured for disrupting Trump speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TNS) — Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted Feb. 28 through March 6.

Along with roll call votes this week, the Senate also passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act (S. 524), to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard.

The House also passed: the Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act (H.R. 872), to require contractors to implement a vulnerability disclosure policy consistent with NIST guidelines; the GOOD Act (H.R. 1515), to increase access to agency guidance documents; a resolution (H. Res. 153), expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25; and the Recruiting Families Using Data Act (H.R. 579), to improve foster and adoptive parent recruitment and retention.

HOUSE VOTES

House Vote 1

GOVERNMENT SPENDING STANDARDS: The House has passed the Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act (H.R. 856), sponsored by Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., to require the Office of Management and Budget to review what impacts on national security result from using a lowest price source selection process for spending by federal agencies. Donalds said: “Focusing on price, instead of other technical or operational factors in federal procurement, can result in agencies cutting corners, long-term value being sacrificed, or in its worse aspects, even potential risks to America’s national security.” The vote, on March 3, was unanimous with 417 yeas.

YEAS: Davids (KS) D-KS (3rd), Estes R-KS (4th), Schmidt R-KS (2nd), Mann R-KS (1st)

House Vote 2

POSTAL SERVICE TRAFFIC DEATHS: The House has passed the Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act (H.R. 758), sponsored by Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., to require the Postal Service to collect and publish information on traffic deaths and injuries involving its vehicles. In arguing for the need for the bill, Connolly said that “in 2021 and 2022, 39% of companies carrying U.S. mail repeatedly violated rules preventing driver exhaustion. One contractor violated these critical driver safety protocols more than 200 times over a five-year period.” The vote, on March 3, was 402 yeas to 16 nays.

YEAS: Davids (KS) D-KS (3rd), Mann R-KS (1st)

NAYS: Estes R-KS (4th), Schmidt R-KS (2nd)

House Vote 3

REGULATING TIRE MANUFACTURING: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 61), sponsored by Rep. Morgan H. Griffith, R-Va., to disapprove of and void an Environmental Protection Agency rule issued last November that adopted hazardous air emissions standards for manufacturers of rubber tires. Griffith said voiding the rule would support the economy and uphold “the principle of not doing willy-nilly regulations at the end of an administration in order to pursue something that does not have verifiable data indicating specific and significant pollution.” An opponent, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., said the resolution “puts the profits of billionaire corporate polluters over the health and welfare of the American people, and it makes a mockery of Republican promises to make America healthy again.” The vote, on March 5, was 216 yeas to 202 nays.

NAYS: Davids (KS) D-KS (3rd)

YEAS: Estes R-KS (4th), Schmidt R-KS (2nd), Mann R-KS (1st)

House Vote 4

APPLIANCE ENERGY STANDARDS: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 42), sponsored by Rep. Andrew S. Clyde, R-Ga., to disapprove of and void an Energy Department rule issued last October that tightened energy efficiency standards for appliances, air conditioners, and other equipment. Clyde said: “This resolution would eliminate Biden-era energy conservation certification and labeling regulations, ensuring that American consumers, not Washington bureaucrats, decide which appliances best fit their needs.” An opponent, Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., said reduced energy efficiency would “cost everyone money” and create more confusion for manufacturers and consumers who would lose information about how much energy an appliance uses. The vote, on March 5, was 222 yeas to 203 nays.

NAYS: Davids (KS) D-KS (3rd)

YEAS: Estes R-KS (4th), Schmidt R-KS (2nd), Mann R-KS (1st)

House Vote 5

MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY: The House has passed a resolution (S.J. Res. 11), sponsored by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., that would disapprove of and void a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management rule issued last September to require energy companies to identify archeological sites in the ocean as part of their project application process. A supporter, Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., said: “Under the rule in question, operators must comply with this blanket mandate, even in areas with no known archeological risks, adding millions in unnecessary costs and delays despite existing state and federal protections under the National Historic Preservation Act.” An opponent, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said: “The rule simply states that future surveys need to adhere to minimum standards to be used for archeological reports. No matter how my colleagues slice it, this rule will not cause a substantial financial burden to operators.” The vote, on March 6, was 221 yeas to 202 nays, with 1 voting present.

NAYS: Davids (KS) D-KS (3rd)

YEAS: Estes R-KS (4th), Schmidt R-KS (2nd), Mann R-KS (1st)

House Vote 6

CENSURING REPRESENTATIVE: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 189), sponsored by Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, for repeatedly disrupting President Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday evening. Newhouse said Green violated the principles of “respect for each other and respect for the responsibility that each one of us has been given and has been tasked with.” Green said: “I would do it again. I have to be candid with the gentleman. I am not trying to insult him in some way. This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience. There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care.” The vote, on March 6, was 224 yeas to 198 nays, with 2 voting present.

NAYS: Davids (KS) D-KS (3rd)

YEAS: Estes R-KS (4th), Schmidt R-KS (2nd), Mann R-KS (1st)

SENATE VOTES

Senate Vote 1

EDUCATION SECRETARY: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Linda McMahon to be Education Secretary. McMahon was Small Business Administrator for the first half of the first Trump administration; previously, she was co-founder and CEO of Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and a two-time Republican candidate to be senator in Connecticut. A supporter, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said McMahon “did a great job running the Small Business Administration in the last Trump administration. I have no reason to believe that she cannot run the Department of Education.” An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said “a vote for Mrs. McMahon is a vote for draconian cuts to education and rising property taxes for middle-class and suburban American families.” The vote, on March 3, was 51 yeas to 45 nays.