Archive : newest at the bottom
6-17-2010
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Motion to Invoke Cloture on Baucus Substitute Amendment; American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010
Vote Rejected (56-40, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected the motion to end debate and vote on this $118 billion version of the bill to extend tax cuts and unemployment benefits due to concerns about the federal deficit. Apparently Senators Wyden and Merkley aren't concerned about the increasing deficits and the taxpayers' ability to fund this additional spending. The Senate is likely to continue its work on the bill this week.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010
Vote Passed (241-182, 9 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would establish a $30 billion lending fund administered by the Treasury Department to invest in financial institutions, like community banks, with the intention of expanding the availability of credit to small businesses. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
7-2-2010
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability,
and Divestment Act
Vote Passed (99-0, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate unanimously approved the conference report to this bill that would impose new sanctions on companies doing business with Iran. The House voted on the conference report later that day.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
7-21-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012
Vote Passed (97-2, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate passed its version of the military construction and Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year. The $144 billion bill differs slightly from the House version that passed on June 14. A conference committee will work out a final bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Table; Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011
Vote Agreed to (51-46, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to this motion to table the House-passed "Cut, Cap and Balance" debt ceiling and balanced-budget plan. This was the best bill so far presented that would have brought government spending under control while raising the debt ceiling to avert an economic meltdown. The move essentially kills the bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES. He and Merkeley are more interested in playing partisan politics than they are in representing the best interests of the people of the United States.
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Cut, Cap, and Balance Act
Vote Passed (234-190, 8 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would make a debt ceiling increase contingent on passage of a balanced-budget constitutional amendment. The White House indicated the president would veto it. The Senate rejected the bill later in the week.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO in keeping with his agenda that government is the answer to all problems and that all the people's money belongs to government.
*Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011
Vote Passed (241-173, 18 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to alter the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a mortgage and credit card watchdog group created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul law. The bill would raise the threshold by which the Financial Stability Oversight Council can overturn CFPB regulations and require Senate confirmation of a director before the CFPB can begin operating. The Senate is unlikely to pass the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO. Again, DeFazio has shown that he believes that all power should reside in government bureaucrats rather than common sense.
*Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2012
Vote Passed (252-159, 21 Not Voting)
This $3.3 billion bill would fund the legislative branch in the upcoming fiscal year. It marks a 6.4 percent reduction from the current funding level. It is not clear when the Senate will take up the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO. Heaven forbid that DeFazio vote for some sort of cut to government spending.
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Invoke Cloture on Reid Amendment; American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010
Vote Rejected (57-41, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected the motion to end debate on this latest version of a bill to extend several expired tax provisions and unemployment benefits due to concerns about the federal deficit. After failing to agree on how to pay for the bill, Senate Democratic leaders have decided to move on to other legislation, and the bill?s future is unclear.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act
Vote Passed (219-206, 8 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill along party lines that would establish new reporting requirements for corporations, unions and other interest groups for campaign-related activities. This has been reported upon in the media as the DISCLOSE ACT. It is the congress' way of circumventing the Supreme Court's ruling protecting the fight to free speech for EVERYONE. Apparently DeFazio believes that only certain special interest groups deserve the right to free speech. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability,
and Divestment Act
Vote Passed (408-8, 1 Present, 16 Not Voting)
The House approved the conference report to this legislation that would impose new sanctions on companies doing business with Iran, sending it to the White House. The president is expected to sign the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
7-9-2010
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Confirmation of Gen. David H. Petraeus to be General
Vote Confirmed (99-0)
The Senate unanimously confirmed Gen. Petraeus for reappointment to the grade of general and to be commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. This, after Democrats savaged Petraeus for creating the “Surge” that was so successful under President Bush. Is there some hypocrisy here?
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Invoke Cloture on Reid Amendment; American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010
Vote Rejected (58-38, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate once again rejected the motion to end debate on this latest version of a bill to extend several expired tax provisions and unemployment benefits due to concerns about the federal deficit. The bill?'s future still remains unclear. Neither Wyden nor Merkley seem to be concerned about the blooming federal deficit. They'll be happy to vote for anything that spends more of your money!
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act
Vote Passed (409-5, 18 Not Voting)
The House passed this legislation to extend the required closing date for the first-time homebuyer tax credit, allowing individuals who have already entered a contract by April 30 to close on the purchase no later than September 30, 2010. The Senate passed the bill by a voice vote the next day, sending it to the president. The president signed it into law.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Vote Passed (237-192, 4 Not Voting)
The House passed the final version of the financial regulation reform legislation. This will effectively bring the banking industry under the same controls as the auto makers the government took over. How long will it be before the federal government owns and/or controls all means of production in this country? What kind of representative would support this nonsense? It now awaits Senate approval.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act
Vote Passed (270-153, 10 Not Voting)
The House approved this bill to further extend eligibility for extended federal unemployment insurance for laid-off workers through November 30. The bill, which would also make these changes retroactive to June 2. Like Wyden and Merkley, DeFazio doesn't seem to understand the country is out of money and that 62 cents of every dollar they want to spend is being borrowed from China. How will we ever pay it back? The bill now heads to the Senate, where its future is not clear.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Vote Agreed to (60-39)
The Senate passed the final version of the financial regulation reform legislation. It imposes additional fees on banks which will be passed along to consumers. It also gives the government access to all individuals' accounts as well as increases taxes on certain kinds of investments. The president signed the bill into law.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Telework Improvements Act
Vote Passed (290-131, 11 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would set standards for federal employees working remotely. It would require the head of each federal agency to establish and implement a policy that would allow employees to work remotely as much as possible without diminishing agency operations or performance. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act
Vote Passed (329-90, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this legislation that would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program through September 2015. The bill heads to the Senate next.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
8-20-2010
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010
Vote Agreed to (59-39, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill to extend unemployment benefits through November 30, making the extension retroactive to June 2 when the last extension expired. This bill adds another $36 billion to the public debt and ignored a similar bill introduced by Massachusetts Representative Scott Brown which would have been deficit neutral. Both Wyden and Merkley would rather increase the national debt rather than vote for a bill introduced by a Republican. Because it was amended by the Senate, it was sent back to the House for final approval.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010
Vote Rejected (46-51, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected the House?s amendment to this legislation funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and providing for additional funding for foreign aid and disaster assistance. The amendment would have added $22.8 billion in additional domestic pork barrel spending. Of course, both Wyden and Merkley voted for the pork and the additional $22.8 billion added to the already $1.4 trillion deficit . The House is expected to approve the bill without the amendment.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010
Vote Passed (271-152, 9 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to extend unemployment benefits through November 30, making the extension retroactive to June 2 when the last extension expired. The bill will add an additonal $36 billion to the already $1.4 trillion deficit. It was then sent to the president, who signed it the same day.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
9-10-2010 issue
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act
Vote Agreed to (61-39)
The Senate passed this bill to provide $16.1 billion to extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teachers? jobs. Most of that money went to pay teachers' salaries and as a bailout for the teachers' pension funds. Very little went towards the classrooms. The House must vote on the bill next.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act
Vote Rejected (57-41, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected ending debate on this campaign finance disclosure legislation. It is an effort by Democrats to limit the political voice of their opponents. The bill will likely not return to the Senate floor until September.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010
Vote Rejected (58-42)
The Senate rejected ending debate on this bill that aims to expand the availability of credit to small businesses. As with other bills purported to benefit specific groups, there are so many strings attached that few businesses would be likely to avail themselves of this program. The Senate may work more on the bill this week.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act
Vote Passed (247-161, 25 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to provide $16.1 billion to extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teachers' jobs. Most of that money went to pay teachers' salaries and as a bailout for the teachers' pension funds. Very little went towards the classrooms. The bill was then sent to the president, who signed it into law on the same day.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010
Vote Passed (308-114, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this $58.8 billion bill funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and providing for additional funding for foreign aid and disaster assistance. The bill then went to the president, who signed it into law on Thursday.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011
Vote Passed (411-6, 15 Not Voting)
The House approved this $141.1 billion bill funding military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011
Vote Passed (251-167, 14 Not Voting)
The House approved this $126.3 billion legislation funding the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
9-24-2010 issue
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Confirmation of Jane Branstetter Stranch, of Tennessee, to be US Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit
Vote Confirmed (71-21, 8 Not Voting)
The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jane Branstetter Stranch, a Nashville attorney, to the federal bench.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010
Vote Passed (61-38, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate passed a bill that would provide for a variety of small-business tax provisions, including a revival of an expired bonus depreciation provision to allow companies to write off assets more quickly. The bill now returns to the House, which is expected to agree to Senate amendments and clear the bill for the President's signature.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Rural Energy Savings Program Act
Vote Passed (240-172, 20 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would authorize $5 billion over five years to create two energy efficiency loan programs. The intent is to create more and more “Clean and Green” energy programs that are not economically viable without taxpayer subsidies making us more and more dependent on foreign energy sources. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Confirmation of Jane Branstetter Stranch, of Tennessee, to be US Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit
Vote Confirmed (71-21, 8 Not Voting)
The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Jane Branstetter Stranch, a Nashville attorney, to the federal bench.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010
Vote Passed (61-38, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate passed a bill that would provide for a variety of small-business tax provisions, including a revival of an expired bonus depreciation provision to allow companies to write off assets more quickly. The bill now returns to the House, which is expected to agree to Senate amendments and clear the bill for the President's signature.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Rural Energy Savings Program Act
Vote Passed (240-172, 20 Not Voting)
The House passed a bill that would authorize $5 billion over five years to create two energy efficiency loan programs. The intent is to create more and more “Clean and Green” energy programs that are not economically viable without taxpayer subsidies making us more and more dependent on foreign energy sources. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
4-8-2011
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination
Act of 2011
Vote Passed (87-12, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate gave final approval to this bill repealing a provision of the 2010 health care bill requiring businesses to report payments to vendors over $600 to the Internal Revenue Service. The House passed the bill last month. The president is expected to sign it into law.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*To ban EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions
Vote Rejected (50-50)
During work on the small business bill, the Senate fell short of the 60 votes required to pass this amendment that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases for the purpose of addressing climate change. The House passed a stand-alone bill later in the week, but its future is unclear at this time.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011
Vote Passed (255-172, 5 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases for the purpose of addressing climate change. A similar measure failed in the Senate earlier in the week.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Net Neutrality Disapproval
Vote Passed (240-179, 13 Not Voting)
This resolution would nullify a Federal Communications Commission rule prohibiting broadband Internet service providers from blocking content or traffic. Supporters of the resolution say the FCC does not have the authority to regulate the Internet, while opponents contend the regulations are necessary to provide unfettered access to the Internet. A companion resolution has been introduced in the Senate but its future is unclear.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011
Vote Passed (348-70, 14 Not Voting)
The House passed this one-week appropriations measure, giving negotiators time to draft the full-year appropriations measure. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent and the president signed the measure into law.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
4-25-2011 issue
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Fiscal 2011 Health Care Overhaul Funding
Vote Rejected (47-53)
The Senate rejected this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for the implementation of the health care law in the 2011 fiscal year spending bill since the country is out of money. The House adopted the resolution. Both chambers had to pass the resolution for it to be included in the final spending bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Fiscal 2011 Planned Parenthood Funding
Vote Rejected (42-58)
The Senate rejected this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for Planned Parenthood in the 2011 fiscal year spending bill. Funding abortion is more important to the Democrat controlled Senate than living within our budget. The House adopted the resolution. Both chambers had to pass the resolution for it to be included in the final spending bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement
Vote Passed (81-19)
The Senate gave final approval to this bill funding the government through the end of the current fiscal year since Oprsident Obama and the Democrat controlled congress did not pass a budget in the last session. Based on the agreement negotiated to prevent a government shutdown, the bill provides $1.055 trillion in federal spending. The president signed the bill into law on Friday, April 15.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund
Vote Passed (236-183, 13 Not Voting)
This House bill would eliminate funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was established by the health care law. Supporters of the bill say there is no accountability to determine where the money is spent. Opponents of the bill say it would defund important prevention programs. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement
Vote Passed (260-167, 6 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to fund the government through the end of the current fiscal year since President Obama and the Democrat controlled congress did not pass a budget in the last session. Based on the agreement negotiated to prevent a government shutdown, the bill provides $1.055 trillion in federal spending. The Senate passed the bill later in the day, clearing it for the president.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Fiscal 2011 Health Care Overhaul Funding
Vote Passed (240-185, 7 Not Voting)
Following passage of the 2011 spending bill, the House adopted this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for the implementation of the health care law since the country is out of money. The Senate rejected the resolution so it will not be part of the final spending bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Fiscal 2011 Planned Parenthood Funding
Vote Passed (241-185, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)
Following passage of the 2011 spending bill, the House adopted this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for Planned Parenthood. Funding abortion is more important to DeFazio than living within our budget. The Senate rejected the resolution so it will not be part of the final spending bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Fiscal 2012 House Budget Resolution
Vote Passed (235-193, 4 Not Voting)
The House passed a budget resolution that calls for $1.019 trillion in discretionary spending in the 2012 fiscal year. The budget resolution would allow for $2.859 trillion in overall spending. The resolution is non-binding but is used as a guideline for appropriators. The Senate is expected to work on its budget after the recess.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
5-17-2011 issue
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Confirmation John J. McConnell, Jr. of Rhode Island, to be U.S. District Judge
Vote Confirmed (50-44, 5 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed attorney John J. McConnell to be a district court judge in Rhode Island.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*To repeal mandatory funding provided to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges
Vote Passed (238-183, 11 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to eliminate federal grants to states to set up health insurance exchanges. The grants are part of the 2010 health care bill which requires each state to establish an exchange by 2014. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*To repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction
Vote Passed (235-191, 6 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would repeal a section in the 2010 health care bill providing funding for the construction of school-based health centers. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
Vote Passed (251-175, 6 Not Voting)
This bill would prohibit federal funds from being used for abortions, except in the cases of rape, incest or danger to the woman's life. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate, but it is unlikely to gain any traction.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act
Vote Passed (266-149, 17 Not Voting)
This House bill would require the Interior Department to sell oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Virginia. The bill's future in the Senate is uncertain.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
Ed. Note: Apparently Rep. Peter DeFazio is still in favor of Obama Care even though he didn't read it before he voted for it. He also favors federal taxpayer money for abortions but opposes drilling for oil to reduce American dependence on foreign oil and reduce gasoline prices.
5-23-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Cloture Motion; James M. Cole to be Deputy Attorney General
Vote Rejected (50-40, 10 Not Voting)
The Senate fell short of the 60 votes needed to end debate and move to a final vote on the nomination of James M. Cole to be deputy attorney general. Cole was given a recess appointment in December 2010.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act
Vote Passed (263-163, 5 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would expedite the permitting process for lessees seeking to drill for oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico. The Interior Department would be required to review applications within 30 days, with the option of extending the review period to 60 days. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. Peter DeFazio doesn't believe we should have people working.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act
Vote Passed (243-179, 9 Not Voting)
This House bill would require the Interior Department to open certain unused areas of the Outer Continental Shelf for oil and natural gas drilling. The bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate. Peter DeFazio likes high gas prices and doesn't believe people should go back to work.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011
Vote Passed (392-15, 24 Not Voting)
The House approved this bill authorizing intelligence-related programs for the current fiscal year. Funding levels authorized for the 16 intelligence gathering agencies are classified, but it is estimated to be around $80 billion. The Senate version of the bill is currently at a standstill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
5-31-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*FY2012 House Budget Resolution
Vote Rejected (40-57, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected a motion to proceed to consideration of the House-passed 2012 fiscal year budget resolution. Since Democrats wouldn't pass a budget in the two years they had control of congress and the presidency, they are still trying to prevent any type of reasonable spending restrictions.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Motion to Proceed; Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act
Vote Rejected (52-48)
The Senate fell short of the 60 votes needed to proceed to consideration of this bill that would end certain tax breaks for large oil companies. The bill may resurface as part of the upcoming budget negotiations. Of course, our Senators from Oregon voted to increase gas prices.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Proceed; Offshore Production and Safety Act of 2011
Vote Rejected (42-57, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate fell short of the 60 votes needed to take up this bill intended to increase offshore oil production. The bill is similar to the offshore oil bills passed in the House earlier this month. Again, our Senators from Oregon are in favor of keeping us dependent on foreign oil and keeping gas prices high.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Cloture Motion; Nomination of Goodwin Liu to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit
Vote Rejected (52-43, 1 Present, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected this cloture motion on the nomination of Goodwin Liu to be a federal appeals court judge. A cloture motion requires 60 votes to end debate and move on to a final vote. Liu has a track record of legislating from the bench and he believes the Constitution should be reinterpreted to allow the federal government more power.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
6-13-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Debt Limit Increase
Vote Failed (97-318, 7 Present, 9 Not Voting)
The House rejected this bill to raise the public debt limit by $2.4 trillion. The government is expected to hit the current $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by August 2, 2011. Negotiations between the White House and congressional leaders are ongoing.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2012
Vote Passed (231-188, 13 Not Voting)
This bill would provide the Department of Homeland Security with $42.3 billion in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The total is 2.6% less than the current fiscal year. The bill includes $1 billion in emergency spending for disaster aid. Senate appropriators have not drafted their version of the bill yet.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Use of Ground Forces in Libya
Vote Passed (268-145, 1 Present, 18 Not Voting)
The House passed this resolution stating the chamber’s opposition to deploying ground forces in Libya and requiring President Obama to report the strategy for U.S. involvement in combat operations in Libya to Congress within 14 days. The resolution is non-binding.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Libya Troop Withdrawal
Vote Failed (148-265, 19 Not Voting)
The House failed to pass this resolution that would have forced the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Libya within 15 days.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
7-1-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Ethanol subsidies amendment
Vote Agreed to (73-27)
During work on the Economic Development Administration bill, the Senate adopted this amendment to eliminate a tax credit refiners receive for adding ethanol to gasoline and a tariff on imported ethanol.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations, FY2012
Vote Passed (411-5, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this $143.9 billion bill that would fund the Veterans Affairs Department and the Defense Department’s construction activities for the upcoming fiscal year. The bill marks a two percent increase over the current year’s level. The Senate has not yet begun work on its version of the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Agriculture Appropriations, FY2012
Vote Passed (217-203, 12 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would provide $125.5 billion in the upcoming fiscal year for the Agriculture Department. The bill would cut discretionary spending by thirteen percent over the current amount and increase mandatory spending by three percent. The Senate has not yet begun work on its version of the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
7-6-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Confirmation of Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defense
Vote Confirmed (100-0)
Current CIA Director Leon E. Panetta was confirmed to be the next Secretary of Defense. Panetta succeeds Secretary Robert Gates, who is retiring at the end of June.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011
Vote Passed (253-166, 12 Not Voting)
This House bill would require the EPA to complete action within six months on air pollution permit applications for offshore oil and gas drilling. A companion measure has been introduced in the Senate but its future is unclear. The administration opposes the bill. In keeping with past positions on energy issues, Peter DeFazio still has no interest in making America self-sufficient.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*America Invents Act
Vote Passed (304-117, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would make changes to the patent system. In essence, it would screw inventors and benefit big banks. The Senate passed its version of the bill in March 2011. Negotiators will likely meet this summer to work out a compromise bill. The administration has expressed support for the House bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya
Vote Failed (123-295, 13 Not Voting)
The House rejected a resolution that would have authorized the use of U.S. military force in Libya for one year.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*To limit the use of funds to support NATO Operation Unified Protector with respect to Libya
Vote Failed (180-238, 13 Not Voting)
The House rejected this bill that would have defunded U.S. military involvement in NATO activities in Libya. U.S. participation would have been restricted to support operations such as intelligence, surveillance, and search and rescue.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
7-15-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011
Vote Passed (79-20, 1 Not Voting)
This bill is an attempt for the Senate to abrogate its responsibilities as elected representatives of the people. It would reduce the number of executive branch appointees requiring Senate approval. Its future in the House is unclear.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Confirmation of David H. Petraeus to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Vote Confirmed (94-0, 6 Not Voting)
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus was confirmed to be the new CIA director. Petraeus, currently the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, is expected to begin work in September.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
7-22-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Better Use of Light Bulbs Act
Vote Failed (233-193, 1 Present, 4 Not Voting)
The House rejected this bill that would have repealed energy efficiency standards that are expected to lead to a phase out of the traditional incandescent light bulb. A two-thirds vote was necessary to pass the bill under suspension of the rules. The bill is likely to come up again under a rule or as part of another bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO. He apparently believes that Americans should pay more for light bulbs and endanger themselves and their families with the new mercuroy containing bulbs.
*Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
Vote Passed (239-184, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill would limit the EPA’s authority to override a state’s water pollution standards in favor of stricter standards. It is unclear if the Senate will take up the bill. The White House has issued a veto threat.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO. Defazio believes the federal government should usurp state's rights and have control of EVERYTHING!
*Energy-Water Appropriations, FY2012
Vote Passed (219-196, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this 2012 fiscal year spending bill that would provide $30.6 billion to the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers and various water projects. The Senate has not written its version of the bill yet.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
8-21-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Confirmation of Robert S. Mueller III to be Director of the FBI
Vote Confirmed (100-0)
The Senate agreed to extend the term of Federal Bureau of Investigation director Robert S. Mueller III through September 4, 2013. The FBI director is limited to one 10-year term and Mueller’s term began in August 2001. The president signed legislation earlier in the week to allow Mueller to serve an additional two years.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Budget Control Act of 2011
Vote Agreed to (74-26)
The Senate gave final approval to this bill to raise the debt limit by at least $2.1 trillion with no real cuts to spending, only a small reduction in the rate of government growth. President Obama signed the bill into law a short time later.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*North American-Made Energy Security Act
Vote Passed (279-147, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)
This House bill would require the White House to decide by November 1 whether to allow construction of a 1,700 mile oil pipeline running from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Midwest and Gulf Coast. The application to build the pipeline was made nearly three years ago. The White House said the State Department is committed to completing its review by the end of the year and called the bill "unnecessary."
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO. As usual, DeFazio any type of carbon based energy independence for America.
*Budget Control Act of 2011
Vote Passed (269-161, 3 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that raises the debt limit, slows the rate of growth in discretionary spending for ten years, establishes a bipartisan committee to identify additional spending cuts, and requires a vote on a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. The Senate gave final approval to the bill the next day, clearing it for the president.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
9-15-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Leahy-Smith America Invents Act
Vote Passed (89-9, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate gave final approval to this bill that would change the way patents are awarded from “first to invent” to “first to file.” The overhaul is intended to speed up the process of awarding patents. The House passed the bill in June. President Obama has signed it into law.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Proceed; Debt limit disapproval
Vote Rejected (45-52, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected this motion to take up a resolution that would have disapproved a $500 billion debt limit increase. Under the budget law enacted on August 2, the debt limit was increased by $400 billion. A second increase of $500 billion will automatically take effect unless Congress passes a disapproval measure. The Senate's failure to disapprove this half billion dollar increase in the debt limit is another nail in the coffin of our already stressed national economy and another failure by our elitist senators to get rampant government spending under control.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Intelligence Authorization Act, FY 2012
Vote Passed (384-14, 33 Not Voting)
This House bill would authorize spending for the 16 intelligence agencies in the upcoming fiscal year. The cost of the bill is classified. The Senate is expected to take up the bill later this year.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
9-24-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Emergency Supplemental Disaster Relief Appropriations Resolution, 2011
Vote Agreed to (62-37, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to add supplemental disaster relief funding to legislation extending the trade sanctions on Myanmar, still commonly known as Burma. The bill, later passed by unanimous consent, would provide $6.9 billion in immediate aid. The vote came after the Senate rejected two proposals to offset the cost of the funding.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011
Vote Passed (92-6, 2 Not Voting)
On Thursday, the Senate approved this bill to extend FAA programs through January 2012 and surface transportation authorization through March 2012. The House had passed the bill by voice vote earlier in the week. Aviation programs were scheduled to expire on September 16, and highway programs would have expired this week. The president signed the bill last Friday.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act
Vote Passed (365-54, 12 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to expand successful charter school programs, the first part of an effort to overhaul and reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act. The Senate is likely to consider charter school legislation as part of a broader reauthorization of No Child Left Behind rather than as a stand-alone bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act
Vote Passed (238-186, 9 Not Voting)
The House approved this legislation to limit the authority of the National Labor Relations Board. The bill prohibits the board from ordering an employer to restore, shut down or relocate operations. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, as expected, voted NO. He would rather back this power play by union leadership through NLRB than see new American jobs created.
10-10-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011
Vote Passed (70-27, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill that would provide additional assistance to workers affected by foreign trade agreements. It would also revive the Generalized System of Preferences program that is intended to help developing countries expand their trade. Speaker John Boehner said the House will consider the bill if the president submits trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea to Congress.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Short-Term Continuing Appropriations
Vote Passed (219-203, 11 Not Voting)
This bill would fund the government through the first seven weeks of the 2012 fiscal year, which starts on October 1. The bill offsets an increase in federal disaster aid by reducing funding for two Energy Department loan programs. The Senate subsequently rejected the bill and scheduled a vote on an alternate version this week.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Cumulative Regulatory Analysis
Vote Passed (249-169, 15 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would delay the EPA’s implementation of two air pollution regulations. The bill also requires the president to establish a commission to report on the cost of certain EPA regulations. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. As usual, DeFazio's vote indicates he supports rampant government over regulation without accountability regarding cost.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
10-18-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012
Vote Passed (352-66, 15 Not Voting)
The House gave final approval to this measure that funds the government through November 18 at the level agreed to in the August debt limit law. The new fiscal year began on October 1 with none of the annual spending bills completed. President Obama signed the bill into law the next day.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011
Vote Passed (262-161, 10 Not Voting)
The House voted to delay the EPA’s implementation of air pollution rules for cement plants by 15 months. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. The White House has also threatened to veto the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
10-30-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011
Vote Passed (63-35, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill last week that would allow economic sanctions to be placed on China for keeping its currency value artificially low. The House is unlikely to vote on the measure.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*American Jobs Act of 2011
Vote Rejected (50-49, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate did not reach the necessary 60 votes to end debate on the president’s comprehensive $447 billion jobs bill, which is essentially a jobs bill for public employees unions, effectively tabling the legislation. Parts of the bill will likely be considered in multiple smaller bills.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Passed (83-15, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate voted to implement a trade pact with South Korea. The House approved the bill earlier in the day and the president is expected to sign the bill into law.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley, being an ideologue incapable of rational thought, voted NO
*United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Passed (77-22, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate approved a trade pact with Panama. The House passed the bill earlier the same day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley, being an ideologue incapable of rational thought, voted NO
*United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Passed (66-33, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill to implement a trade agreement with Colombia. The House approved the bill earlier in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley, being an ideologue incapable of rational thought, voted NO
*Confirmation of John Edgar Bryson to be Secretary of Commerce
Vote Confirmed (74-26)
The Senate confirmed John Bryson as Secretary of Commerce. Bryson succeeds Gary Locke, who is now the ambassador to China.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act of 2011
Vote Rejected (50-50)
Last week the Senate rejected consideration of this bill that would allocate $30 billion in grants to state and local governments to pay to hire or retain teachers and $5 billion in grants to governments and other groups to pay for law enforcement officers and emergency personnel. This was one component of the president’s broader jobs bill that was rejected earlier in the month.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012
Vote Agreed to (82-16, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate reached the necessary 60 votes to end debate on a legislative package that combines the fiscal 2012 Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science (S 1572) and Transportation-HUD (S 1596) appropriations bills. When they return from a weeklong recess, senators will resume consideration of the bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Passed (262-167, 4 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to implement a trade pact with Colombia. The Senate approved the bill later in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, being an ideologue incapable of rational thought, voted NO
*United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Passed (300-129, 4 Not Voting)
The House approved this bill to implement a trade pact with Panama. The Senate approved the bill later in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, being an ideologue incapable of rational thought, voted NO
*United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
Vote Passed (278-151, 4 Not Voting)
The House passed this trade agreement with South Korea. The Senate approved the bill later in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, being an ideologue incapable of rational thought, voted NO
*EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011
Vote Passed (275-142, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would delay EPA emissions rules for boilers, solid-waste incinerators and process heaters, requiring the EPA to re-propose the rules and finalize them exactly 15 months after the bill’s enactment. The Senate is unlikely to vote on the legislation.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
11-13-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations
Vote Passed (69-30, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this “minibus” bill making appropriations for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. The bill provides the five departments with $128 billion in discretionary funds for the 2012 fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2011. House and Senate conferees have begun meeting to work out a compromise bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Proceed; Rebuild America Jobs Act
Vote Rejected (51-49)
The Senate fell short of the 60 vote threshold needed to move forward on this part of the president’s jobs bill that would have provided $60 billion for transportation projects and created a national infrastructure bank as well as requiring that union labor be used at these projects.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Proceed; Long-Term Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011
Vote Rejected (47-53)
The Senate also fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward on the Republican alternative that would have reauthorized highway programs for two years and overhauled certain regulations.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act
Vote Passed (235-186, 12 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to transfer a parcel of federal land near Superior, AZ to Resolution Copper Mining. The Senate is unlikely to approve the measure.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Modify Income Calculation for Eligibility for Certain Health Programs
Vote Passed (262-157, 14 Not Voting)
This House bill would take into account a person’s Social Security benefits when determining eligibility for government health care programs. The 2010 health care law excludes Social Security when calculating eligibility. The bill is intended to pay for revenue lost due to H.R.674. The White House supports this measure.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Government Contractor Withholding Repeal Act
Vote Passed (405-16, 12 Not Voting)
The House voted to repeal a requirement that government agencies withhold 3 percent of payments to government contractors. The bill will be paired with H.R.2576 and sent to the Senate. The White House has also expressed support for the withholding measure.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
11-30-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Motion to Proceed; Net Neutrality disapproval
Vote Rejected (46-52, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected a move to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission’s "net neutrality" rule from taking effect on November 20. The rule will prohibit broadband service providers from blocking content or applications and allow government to dictate what constitutes “acceptable” content.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Motion to Proceed; Cross-border air pollution rule disapproval
Vote Rejected (41-56, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected this move to nullify an Environmental Protection Agency rule on cross-state air pollution targeting emissions from power plants.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Government Contractor Withholding Repeal Act
Vote Passed (95-0, 1 Present, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate voted to repeal a requirement that government agencies withhold 3 percent of payments to government contractors. The chamber amended the bill to give tax credits to companies that hire unemployed veterans. The House is expected to take up the amended bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
12-8-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations
Vote Agreed to (70-30)
The Senate gave final approval to this "minibus" spending bill that combines the 2012 fiscal year Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. The bill also contains a continuing resolution to keep the rest of the government funded through December 16. The president signed the bill into law the next day. The nine remaining annual appropriations bills may be combined into one bill after the Thanksgiving recess.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011
Vote Passed (272-154, 7 Not Voting)
This House bill would allow citizens with a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun across state lines. The bill's future in the Senate is unclear.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations
Vote Passed (298-121, 14 Not Voting)
The House passed the conference report for this "minibus" spending bill that combines the 2012 fiscal year Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. The bill also contains a continuing resolution to keep the rest of the government funded through December 16. The Senate passed the bill later in the day, clearing it for the president. The nine remaining annual appropriations bills may be combined into one bill after the Thanksgiving recess.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States
Vote Failed (261-165, 8 Not Voting)
The House fell 23 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass this balanced-budget constitutional amendment. Under the terms of the August debt limit law, both chambers are required to consider a balanced-budget amendment by the end of 2011. The Senate is expected to consider the proposal in December.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
12-17-11
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*National Defense Authorization Act, FY2012
Vote Passed (93-7)
The Senate passed this bill authorizing $662 billion in defense spending for the current fiscal year. The bill contains provisions requiring suspected terrorists to be held in military custody and places sanctions on Iran. The House passed its version of the bill in May. A conference committee will meet to work out a compromise bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act
Vote Passed (235-188, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would build in a waiting period between the time workers file petitions to unionize and the time the vote occurs. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.
In keeping with his policy of supporting union thugs, Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*To reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions and by terminating the Election Assistance Commission
Vote Passed (235-190, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill would terminate taxpayer funding of presidential campaigns and conventions. Public funding began in 1976. The bill would also eliminate the Election Assistance Commission, which was established in 2002 to help states to update their voting machines. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011
Vote Passed (263-159, 11 Not Voting)
This bill would allow the Small Business Administration to intervene in the regulatory process when small businesses are affected. The Senate is unlikely to act on the measure, which is also opposed by the White House.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Regulatory Accountability Act
Vote Passed (253-167, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would require federal agencies to choose the "least costly" option when writing new federal regulations. Agencies would also be required to provide indirect cost estimates and predictions of job gains or losses. The White House opposes the bill.
Since he opposes reining in governmental power and abuse, Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
1-31-12
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Cloture on the Nomination of Richard Cordray to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
Vote Rejected (53-45, 1 Present, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate failed to reach the sixty votes needed to move forward on the nomination of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The CFPB, which was created by the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory overhaul, is responsible for overseeing financial products like home loans and credit cards.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Proceed; Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011
Vote Rejected (50-48, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected a motion to move forward on this Democratic proposal to reduce the employee share of the payroll tax from 4.2 to 3.1 percent for 2012. The employer share would stay at 6.2 percent. The payroll tax funds the Social Security trust fund. A law passed in December 2010 is set to expire at the end of 2011 that reduced the employee share from 6.2 to 4.2 percent.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Motion to Proceed; Temporary Tax Holiday and Government Reduction Act
Vote Rejected (22-76, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected a motion to move forward on this Republican proposal to freeze the employee share of the payroll tax at 4.2 percent. The proposal offsets the cost by freezing federal pay and reducing the federal workforce by attrition.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Balanced Budget Amendment
Vote Rejected (21-79)
The Senate rejected the Democratic balanced-budget amendment that would have taken Social Security off the books and prohibited Congress from cutting taxes for millionaires if the cut increased the deficit. A two-thirds majority is needed in both chambers to send constitutional amendments to the states for ratification.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO. True to form, Merkley is in favor of ramopant congressional spending without limits.
*Balanced Budget Amendment
Vote Rejected (47-53)
The Senate rejected the Republican balanced-budget amendment proposal that would have required a two-thirds majority in both chambers to increase taxes and limited federal spending to 18 percent of the country’s economic output. The August debt limit law required both chambers to consider balanced-budget amendments before the end of the year.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Defense Authorization, FY2012
Vote Agreed to (86-13, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate cleared this $662 billion measure for the president that authorizes defense policies for the current fiscal year. The House passed the bill the previous day. This is the bill that will allow the president to define who and what constitutes terrorism and detain United States Citizens without legal recourse on American soil.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*Reid-McConnell Amdt.; Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011
Vote Agreed to (89-10, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate approved this amendment to H.R.3630 that replaces the House bill with the Senate’s compromise bill. The amended bill would extend by 2 months the Social Security payroll tax cut and benefits for the long-term unemployed. The deal also includes a provision directing the White House to expedite the decision on the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The bill subsequently passed by unanimous consent. It is unclear as of press time if the House will pass the Senate bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2012
Vote Passed (72-27, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate cleared this bill to provide $8.6 billion in disaster relief and to combat Social Security fraud, sending it to the president for his signature. The House passed this bill the previous day.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012
Vote Agreed to (67-32, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate gave final approval to the conference report for this $915 billion "megabus" spending bill that provides funds for the rest of the fiscal year for the remaining nine annual appropriations bills. The nine bills are the Military Construction-VA, Defense, Energy-Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior-Environment, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills. The House passed the bill the previous day. The president is expected to sign the bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2011
Vote Passed (241-184, 8 Not Voting)
This bill would require congressional approval of federal regulations that are expected to cost the economy $100 million or more or have a significant effect on consumer prices. Currently, regulations take effect unless both Congress and the president approve a resolution disapproving of them. The White House opposes the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO. DeFazio believes that unelected and unaccountable federal agencies should be able to pursue agendas to implement rules without congressional oversight.
*Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011
Vote Passed (268-150, 15 Not Voting)
This House-passed bill would prevent the EPA from revising air standards concerning dust from farm operations for one year. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. The White House has also issued a veto threat.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO. Again, DeFazio is in favor of federal agencies implementing rules without oversight.
*Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011
Vote Passed (234-193, 6 Not Voting)
The House passed this Republican version of the payroll tax extension bill. The bill would extend the Social Security payroll tax cut for one year, prevent Medicare payments to doctors from being cut more than 27 percent, and overhaul the unemployment benefits program. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) called the bill "dead on arrival" in the Senate.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Iran Sanctions
Vote Passed (410-11, 12 Not Voting)
The House voted to strengthen sanctions against Iran that are intended to deny the regime resources to develop nuclear weapons. The Senate is unlikely to pass the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Defense Authorization, FY2012
Vote Passed (283-136, 14 Not Voting)
The House passed this $662 billion measure that authorizes defense policies for the current fiscal year. The Senate cleared the measure for the president the next day.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Intelligence Authorization, FY2012
Vote Passed (396-23, 14 Not Voting)
The House gave final approval to this bill authorizing funds for 16 intelligence agencies for the current fiscal year. The amount is classified, but it is estimated to be around $78.6 billion. The Senate passed the bill on December 14 by unanimous consent. The president is expected to sign it.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012
Vote Passed (296-121, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed the conference report for this $915 billion "megabus" spending bill that provides funds for the rest of the fiscal year for the remaining nine annual appropriations bills. The nine bills are the Military Construction-VA, Defense, Energy-Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior-Environment, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills. The Senate gave final approval to the bill the next day. The president is expected to sign it into law.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2012
Vote Passed (351-67, 15 Not Voting)
The House passed this $8.6 billion bill to provide additional disaster relief funds to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers and to combat Social Security waste. The Senate passed the bill the next day, sending it to the President.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Motion to go to conference; Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011
Vote Passed (229-193, 11 Not Voting)
With this vote, the House rejected the Senate's two-month extension of the Social Security payroll tax reduction and requested a conference to consider a yearlong extension. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) stated he would not call the Senate back into session. The standoff ended later in the week when the House agreed to pass the two-month bill and the Senate agreed to name conferees to work out a yearlong extension.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
2-10-12
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Debt limit disapproval
Vote Rejected (44-52, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected this House resolution to block a $1.2 trillion increase in the $15.2 trillion debt ceiling. The increase automatically took effect on January 27, 2012. And we wonder why the United States is $15.5 trillion in debt?
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
*STOCK Act
Vote Passed (96-3, 1 Not Voting)
This Senate bill would strengthen rules prohibiting lawmakers, Capitol Hill staff and some executive branch officials from using confidential information to buy or sell stocks.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act
Vote Passed (408-0, 25 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to change the definition of “ultralight” aircraft in the anti-smuggling statute in order to increase penalties for using them to smuggle drugs. The Senate cleared the measure for the president the next day by unanimous consent. It was the last bill sponsored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords before her resignation from Congress.
Rep. Peter DeFazio did not vote on this issue
*Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act
Vote Passed (267-159, 6 Not Voting)
The House voted to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, a provision in the 2010 health care law that was intended to provide long-term care but was suspended after the Department of Health and Human Services determined it could not be solvent for 75 years as required by the law. The bill's future in the Senate is unclear.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011
Vote Passed (242-179, 11 Not Voting)
This House measure would require the CBO to assess a bill's impact on long-term economic growth. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Baseline Reform Act of 2011
Vote Passed (235-177, 20 Not Voting)
This House bill would stop the Congressional Budget Office from incorporating inflation increases into its spending projections. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*FAA Modernization and Reform Act
Vote Passed (248-169, 15 Not Voting)
The House passed this conference report authorizing $15.9 billion per year through 2015 for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
2-19-12
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act
Vote Agreed to (75-20, 5 Not Voting)
The Senate gave final approval to this conference report authorizing $15.9 billion per year through the 2015 fiscal year for the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA has been operating under a series of short-term extensions since the 2008 fiscal year. The president is expected to sign the measure.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Budget and Accounting Transparency Act
Vote Passed (245-180, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill would incorporate the costs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into the federal budget, change how the government accounts for loan programs, and require federal agencies to post their budget information on their websites. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Expedited Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2011
Vote Passed (254-173, 6 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to give the president a line-item veto and rescission authority over discretionary spending bills. The bill would give Congress three days to vote to accept or reject the president's rescissions. The White House supports the bill, but the Senate is not expected to take it up.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*STOCK Act
Vote Passed (417-2, 14 Not Voting)
The House passed an amended version of this Senate bill that would strengthen rules prohibiting lawmakers, Capitol Hill staff and some executive branch officials from using confidential information to buy or sell stocks. The Senate now will either accept the modified bill or request a conference committee.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
3-1-12
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act
Vote Agreed to (60-36, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate gave final approval to the agreement to extend the Social Security payroll tax rate cut, which was reduced from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent last year, through the end of 2012. This further erodes the Social Security fund which is already nearing bankruptcy. Another of Obama's “feel good” programs that will devastate retirees in the future. The bill also extends certain unemployment benefits and Medicare physician payment rates through the end of the year. The president is expected to sign the bill into law.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act
Vote Passed (237-187, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed the first part of the surface transportation authorization bill, which has been divided into three parts. This part deals with energy and would use oil and gas revenue to fund transportation projects.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act
Vote Passed (293-132, 8 Not Voting)
The House passed this agreement to extend the Social Security payroll tax rate cut, which was reduced from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent last year, through the end of 2012. This further erodes the Social Security fund which is already nearing bankruptcy. Another of Obama's “feel good” programs that will devastate retirees in the future. The bill also extends certain unemployment benefits and Medicare physician payment rates through the end of the year. The Senate passed the bill a short time later, clearing it for the president's signature.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
3-9-12
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Motion to Table Blunt Amendment
Vote Agreed to (51-48, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate rejected an amendment to the surface transportation bill that would have allowed employers to exclude certain health services from its insurance plans based on religious grounds. This motion virtually kills the bill from consideration. Apparently the two senators from Oregon don't really believe in religious freedom.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act
Vote Passed (303-114, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would overturn an Education Department regulation defining credit hours and rules education institutions must adhere to in order to operate in a state. The bill is intended to ease regulations on the for-profit education industry.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
*Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act
Vote Passed (246-175, 1 Present, 11 Not Voting)
This House bill is intended to increase access to water for agricultural and municipal uses in the San Joaquin Valley in California. With the defeat of this bill, many farmers will have to curtail operations due to the lack of water, thereby driving up the price of fruits and vegetables on the consumer market. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
3-24-12
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century
(MAP-21) Act
Vote Passed (74-22, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this $109 billion bill that would fund transportation programs and projects for the next two years. It is unclear at this time whether the House will pass a two or five year bill.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted YES
*Keystone XL Pipeline
Vote Rejected (56-42, 2 Not Voting)
During the debate over the transportation bill, the Senate rejected this amendment that would have allowed construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to proceed without presidential approval. This would have created an estimated 20,000 desperately needed jobs as well as reduce our dependency on oil from countries who have proven unfriendly to the United States. Sixty votes were needed to adopt the amendment.
In true partisan fashion without consideration for the welfare of America and Americans:
Sen. Ron Wyden voted NO
Sen. Jeff Merkley voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011
Vote Passed (265-154, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would encourage the development of small-scale hydropower facilities on federal lands. This will provide for more and cheaper energy as well as provide much needed jobs. The bill's future in the Senate is unclear.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO
*Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act
Vote Passed (390-23, 19 Not Voting)
This House bill would ease reporting and regulatory requirements for small businesses trying to raise capital in order to take the company public. The White House supports the bill, but its path in the Senate is unclear.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted YES
4-3-12
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. SENATE:
*Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act
Vote Passed (73-26, 1 Not Voting)
This bill would ease reporting and regulatory requirements for small businesses trying to raise capital in order to take the company public. The House passed the bill on March 8, 2012. The Senate adopted an amendment to the bill which will require the House to vote again. It is expected the House will pass the bill this week and send the bill to the president.
Sen. Ron Wyden voted YES
Sen. Jeff Merkley, who always seems to be anti-business, voted NO
RECENT VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
*Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act
of 2011
Vote Passed (223-181, 4 Present, 23 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) and cap damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. IPAB, also known as a “Death Panel”, was created by the 2010 health care law and is charged with finding savings in Medicare spending. It has no members yet. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill.
Rep. Peter DeFazio voted NO