Congressional Votes
Here's a look at summary stories written about each key vote in the House and Senate
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Wyoming Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Wyoming members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Wyoming members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Wyoming members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
YEAS: Hageman R-WY (AL)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Barrasso R-WY, Lummis R-WY
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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Vermont Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Vermont members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Vermont members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
YEAS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Vermont members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
YEAS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Balint D-VT (AL)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Sanders I-VT, Welch D-VT
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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South Carolina Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how South Carolina members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how South Carolina members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergencymanagers, state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Mace R-SC (1st), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Norman R-SC (5th), Mace R-SC (1st), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Mace R-SC (1st), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NOT VOTING: Scott R-SC
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Scott R-SC
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Scott R-SC, Graham R-SC
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Scott R-SC, Graham R-SC
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Scott R-SC, Graham R-SC
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how South Carolina members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergencymanagers, state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Mace R-SC (1st)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Mace R-SC (1st), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Norman R-SC (5th), Mace R-SC (1st), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Clyburn D-SC (6th)
YEAS: Timmons R-SC (4th), Wilson (SC) R-SC (2nd), Norman R-SC (5th), Mace R-SC (1st), Fry R-SC (7th), Biggs (SC) R-SC (3rd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NOT VOTING: Scott R-SC
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Scott R-SC
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Scott R-SC, Graham R-SC
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Scott R-SC, Graham R-SC
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Scott R-SC, Graham R-SC
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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New Mexico Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how New Mexico members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how New Mexico members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergencymanagers, state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
NAYS: King-Hinds R-NM ()
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd), King-Hinds R-NM ()
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how New Mexico members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergencymanagers, state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
YEAS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
NAYS: King-Hinds R-NM ()
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd), King-Hinds R-NM ()
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Stansbury D-NM (1st), Leger Fernandez D-NM (3rd), Vasquez D-NM (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Heinrich D-NM, Lujan D-NM
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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Michigan Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Michigan members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Michigan members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Dingell D-MI (6th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Dingell D-MI (6th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th)
YEAS: Dingell D-MI (6th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Dingell D-MI (6th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
YEAS: Huizenga R-MI (4th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), James R-MI (10th), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
YEAS: Tlaib D-MI (12th)
NOT VOTING: Dingell D-MI (6th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: Dingell D-MI (6th)
YEAS: Barrett R-MI (7th), Bergman R-MI (1st), McClain R-MI (9th), James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: Dingell D-MI (6th)
YEAS: Huizenga R-MI (4th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), James R-MI (10th)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Michigan members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Dingell D-MI (6th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Dingell D-MI (6th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th)
YEAS: Dingell D-MI (6th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Dingell D-MI (6th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
YEAS: Huizenga R-MI (4th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th)
NOT VOTING: James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), James R-MI (10th), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
YEAS: Tlaib D-MI (12th)
NOT VOTING: Dingell D-MI (6th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), Huizenga R-MI (4th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: Dingell D-MI (6th)
YEAS: Barrett R-MI (7th), Bergman R-MI (1st), McClain R-MI (9th), James R-MI (10th)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Stevens D-MI (11th), Tlaib D-MI (12th), McDonald Rivet D-MI (8th), Scholten D-MI (3rd), Thanedar D-MI (13th)
NOT VOTING: Dingell D-MI (6th)
YEAS: Huizenga R-MI (4th), Barrett R-MI (7th), Walberg R-MI (5th), Bergman R-MI (1st), Moolenaar R-MI (2nd), McClain R-MI (9th), James R-MI (10th)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Peters D-MI, Slotkin D-MI
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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Louisiana Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Louisiana members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Louisiana members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Fields D-LA (6th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Fields D-LA (6th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NOT VOTING: Fields D-LA (6th)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NOT VOTING: Fields D-LA (6th)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th)
NAYS: Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Fields D-LA (6th), Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th)
YEAS: Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Fields D-LA (6th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Scalise R-LA (1st)
NOT VOTING: Letlow R-LA (5th)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Fields D-LA (6th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Louisiana members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Fields D-LA (6th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Fields D-LA (6th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NOT VOTING: Fields D-LA (6th)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NOT VOTING: Fields D-LA (6th)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th)
NAYS: Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Fields D-LA (6th), Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th)
YEAS: Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Fields D-LA (6th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Scalise R-LA (1st)
NOT VOTING: Letlow R-LA (5th)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Fields D-LA (6th), Carter (LA) D-LA (2nd)
YEAS: Higgins (LA) R-LA (3rd), Johnson (LA) R-LA (4th), Scalise R-LA (1st), Letlow R-LA (5th)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Kennedy R-LA, Cassidy R-LA
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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Idaho Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Idaho members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Idaho members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st)
NAYS: Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NOT VOTING: Risch R-ID
YEAS: Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Idaho members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st)
NAYS: Simpson R-ID (2nd)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
YEAS: Fulcher R-ID (1st), Simpson R-ID (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NOT VOTING: Risch R-ID
YEAS: Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Risch R-ID, Crapo R-ID
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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Connecticut Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Connecticut members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Connecticut members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergencymanagers, state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
NAYS: Himes D-CT (4th)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
YEAS: Hayes D-CT (5th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Larson (CT) D-CT (1st)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NOT VOTING: Murphy D-CT
YEAS: Blumenthal D-CT
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Connecticut members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergencymanagers, state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
NAYS: Himes D-CT (4th)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
YEAS: Hayes D-CT (5th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
NOT VOTING: Larson (CT) D-CT (1st)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NOT VOTING: Murphy D-CT
YEAS: Blumenthal D-CT
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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Arizona Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Arizona members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Arizona members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
NOT VOTING: Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
NOT VOTING: Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th)
NAYS: Crane R-AZ (2nd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
YEAS: Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NOT VOTING: Gallego D-AZ
NAYS: Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Arizona members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
NOT VOTING: Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
NOT VOTING: Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th)
NAYS: Crane R-AZ (2nd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
YEAS: Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Grijalva D-AZ (7th)
YEAS: Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NOT VOTING: Gallego D-AZ
NAYS: Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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Alabama Congressional Votes for the Week ending 2026-07-17
by Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Alabama members of Congress voted over the previous week.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Alabama members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NOT VOTING: Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NOT VOTING: Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NAYS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NAYS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NAYS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL
NOT VOTING: Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Here's a look at how Alabama members of Congress voted over the previous week. HOUSE VOTES: House Vote 1: COLD SNAPS AND TERRORISM: The House has passed the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act (H.R. 3106), sponsored by Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-N.Y. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to perform a training exercise to prepare for a potential terrorist attack during an outbreak of severe cold. Kennedy said: "The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers,state officials, and community partners." The vote, on July 13, was 400 yeas to 7 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NOT VOTING: Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd)
House Vote 2:
TSA SCREENING OF CHILDREN: The House has passed the Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897), sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., to have the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) undertake a pilot program for improving airport security screening methods for families traveling with children who are under 13 years old. Mackenzie said the bill "will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our nation's airports." The vote, on July 13, was 398 yeas to 12 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NOT VOTING: Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd)
House Vote 3:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., to change time in the U.S. by making daylight saving time, currently in place from March to November, permanent and year-round nationwide. Buchanan said "allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business." An opponent, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., cited fatalities in children when permanent daylight saving time was adopted in 1974, due to the school day beginning in the dark, and said "that if we stop the clock, permanent standard time is a healthier choice." The vote, on July 14, was 308 yeas to 117 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
House Vote 4:
GUN RETAILERS: The House has passed the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act (H.R. 1181), sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., to bar payment processors from identifying gun retailers with a distinct merchant code. Moore said the bill "preserves Americans' rights by prohibiting the creation of a separate merchant category code for firearms. This would, of course, become a de facto gun registry." An opponent, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said that by blocking states from using the code to investigate suspicious transactions, it would impair efforts to prevent gun trafficking and gun violence. The vote, on July 14, was 221 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NAYS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
House Vote 5:
AID TO ISRAEL: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for Israel. Massie cited the $39 trillion U.S. debt burden and the need to prioritize various domestic needs in arguing against the $3.3 billion of aid. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States strategic interest." The vote, on July 15, was 104 yeas to 314 nays, with 10 voting present.
NAYS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Sewell D-AL (7th), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Figures D-AL (2nd), Strong R-AL (5th)
House Vote 6:
UNITED NATIONS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), that would have barred funding for the United Nations. Roy cited "anti-Israel bias, corruption, peacekeeper misconduct, institutional failure, and ways in which the United Nations operates on a regular basis in direct contradiction to the interests of the United States." An amendment opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said: "When the world faces challenges that no nation can solve themselves, the United Nations provides a place for countries to work together in pursuit of peace, security, and human dignity." The vote, on July 15, was 136 yeas to 291 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NAYS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
House Vote 7:
STATE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The House has passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595), sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., to provide $47.3 billion for fiscal 2027 spending at the State Department and related foreign affairs activities by other government entities. Diaz-Balart said the bill "supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way," cutting total spending from 2026 levels by $2.7 billion without reducing funding for national security priorities. An opponent, Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said the cuts "weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores." The vote, on July 15, was 217 yeas to 209 nays.
YEAS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
NAYS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
TEXAS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Arthur Jones to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas. Jones was a judge advocate lawyer in the Air Force from 1995 to 2002, then joined the Southern District, where he was, most recently, its executive assistant attorney. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Jones's "association with a far-right organization [Gun Owners of America] and refusal to disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are disqualifying." The vote, on July 13, was 46 yeas to 44 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL
NOT VOTING: Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 2:
APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Schwartz to be a judge on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. A private practice lawyer in New York City for the past two decades, Schwartz previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited Schwartz's representation of President Trump and Tesla. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 3:
MILITARY SPENDING: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on a motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.4784), sponsored by Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. The bill would authorize about $1.1 trillion of fiscal 2027 spending on the military, including military construction programs and military activities at the Energy Department. The vote, on July 14, was 50 yeas to 46 nays, with a three-fifths majority required.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 4:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. An appeals court judge in the Florida courts for the last decade, Kuntz was previously a private practice lawyer in the state. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called Kuntz "another nominee who has been rewarded for his loyalty to the president with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench." The vote, on July 15, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 5:
MEDICARE WASTE: The Senate has rejected a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 198), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have cancelled a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule issued last July that adopted a 6-year test model effort for using prior authorization for certain services in order to cut waste and fraud in Medicare's fee-for-service payment program. Wyden said the result of the test has been that care doctors recommend for Medicare enrollees "has been slowed or halted by a shadowy AI-driven third party." An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: "Patients should have access to high-quality care, providers deserve predictable payment for services, and avoidable waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare should be stopped. Ending this pilot program prematurely will deprive CMS of a useful tool to accomplish each of those goals." The vote, on July 16, was 46 yeas to 50 nays.
NAYS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/304-1897, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.
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