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Congressional Votes
Here's a look at summary stories written about each key vote in the House and Senate
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Congressional Votes for Delaware for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Delaware voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Delaware voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passedthe Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
YEAS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 2:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 nays.
YEAS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 4:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 5:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 7:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 nays.
YEAS: McBride D-DE (AL)
House Vote 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 nays.
NAYS: McBride D-DE (AL)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
NAYS: Coons D-DE
NOT VOTING: Blunt Rochester D-DE
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Coons D-DE, Blunt Rochester D-DE
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Coons D-DE, Blunt Rochester D-DE
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Coons D-DE, Blunt Rochester D-DE
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
NAYS: Coons D-DE, Blunt Rochester D-DE
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
NAYS: Coons D-DE, Blunt Rochester D-DE
* * *
The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
* * *
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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Congressional Votes for Connecticut for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Connecticut voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Connecticut voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passedthe Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
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:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 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 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 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:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 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:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 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 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
NAYS: DeLauro D-CT (3rd), Hayes D-CT (5th), Larson (CT) D-CT (1st), Himes D-CT (4th), Courtney D-CT (2nd)
House Vote 7:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 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 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 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 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 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 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 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 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 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 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 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 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 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:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
NAYS: Murphy D-CT, Blumenthal D-CT
* * *
The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
* * *
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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Congressional Votes for Colorado for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Colorado voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Colorado voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passedthe Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
YEAS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
NOT VOTING: Pettersen D-CO (7th)
House Vote 2:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 nays.
YEAS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th)
NAYS: Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 4:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 5:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th)
House Vote 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 7:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 nays.
YEAS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
NAYS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
House Vote 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 nays.
NAYS: DeGette D-CO (1st), Crow D-CO (6th), Neguse D-CO (2nd), Pettersen D-CO (7th)
YEAS: Crank R-CO (5th), Boebert R-CO (4th), Evans (CO) R-CO (8th), Hurd (CO) R-CO (3rd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
NAYS: Bennet D-CO, Hickenlooper D-CO
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Bennet D-CO, Hickenlooper D-CO
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Bennet D-CO, Hickenlooper D-CO
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Bennet D-CO, Hickenlooper D-CO
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
NAYS: Bennet D-CO, Hickenlooper D-CO
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
NAYS: Bennet D-CO, Hickenlooper D-CO
* * *
The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
* * *
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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Congressional Votes for California for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in California voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in California voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passedthe Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
YEAS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Calvert R-CA (41st), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Fong R-CA (20th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Issa R-CA (48th), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), McClintock R-CA (5th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Valadao R-CA (22nd), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
NOT VOTING: Correa D-CA (46th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Waters D-CA (43rd)
House Vote 2:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 nays.
YEAS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), McClintock R-CA (5th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
NAYS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
House Vote 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Gray D-CA (13th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
House Vote 4:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Gray D-CA (13th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
NOT VOTING: Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
House Vote 5:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Valadao R-CA (22nd), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th)
House Vote 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
House Vote 7:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
House Vote 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
House Vote 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
NOT VOTING: DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st)
House Vote 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Valadao R-CA (22nd), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd)
NOT VOTING: Kim R-CA (40th)
House Vote 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Gray D-CA (13th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
House Vote 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 nays.
YEAS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Gray D-CA (13th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
NAYS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
House Vote 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 nays.
NAYS: Aguilar D-CA (33rd), Barragan D-CA (44th), Bera D-CA (6th), Brownley D-CA (26th), Carbajal D-CA (24th), Chu D-CA (28th), Cisneros D-CA (31st), Correa D-CA (46th), Costa D-CA (21st), DeSaulnier D-CA (10th), Friedman D-CA (30th), Garamendi D-CA (8th), Garcia (CA) D-CA (42nd), Gomez D-CA (34th), Harder (CA) D-CA (9th), Huffman D-CA (2nd), Jacobs D-CA (51st), Kamlager-Dove D-CA (37th), Khanna D-CA (17th), Levin D-CA (49th), Liccardo D-CA (16th), Lieu D-CA (36th), Lofgren D-CA (18th), Matsui D-CA (7th), Min D-CA (47th), Mullin D-CA (15th), Panetta D-CA (19th), Pelosi D-CA (11th), Peters D-CA (50th), Rivas D-CA (29th), Ruiz D-CA (25th), Sanchez D-CA (38th), Sherman D-CA (32nd), Simon D-CA (12th), Swalwell D-CA (14th), Takano D-CA (39th), Thompson (CA) D-CA (4th), Torres (CA) D-CA (35th), Tran D-CA (45th), Vargas D-CA (52nd), Waters D-CA (43rd), Whitesides D-CA (27th)
YEAS: Calvert R-CA (41st), Fong R-CA (20th), Gray D-CA (13th), Issa R-CA (48th), Kiley (CA) R-CA (3rd), Kim R-CA (40th), LaMalfa R-CA (1st), McClintock R-CA (5th), Obernolte R-CA (23rd), Valadao R-CA (22nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
NAYS: Padilla D-CA, Schiff D-CA
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Padilla D-CA, Schiff D-CA
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Padilla D-CA, Schiff D-CA
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Padilla D-CA, Schiff D-CA
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
NAYS: Padilla D-CA, Schiff D-CA
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
NAYS: Padilla D-CA, Schiff D-CA
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The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
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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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Congressional Votes for Arkansas for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Arkansas voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Arkansas voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passedthe Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
NOT VOTING: Crawford R-AR (1st)
YEAS: Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 2:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 nays.
NAYS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd)
YEAS: Westerman R-AR (4th)
NOT VOTING: Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 4:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 5:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 7:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 nays.
NAYS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
House Vote 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 nays.
YEAS: Crawford R-AR (1st), Womack R-AR (3rd), Westerman R-AR (4th), Hill (AR) R-AR (2nd)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
YEAS: Cotton R-AR, Boozman R-AR
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Cotton R-AR, Boozman R-AR
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Cotton R-AR
NOT VOTING: Boozman R-AR
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Cotton R-AR, Boozman R-AR
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
YEAS: Cotton R-AR, Boozman R-AR
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
YEAS: Cotton R-AR, Boozman R-AR
* * *
The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
* * *
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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Congressional Votes for Arizona for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Arizona voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Arizona voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passedthe Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
YEAS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd), Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 2:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 nays.
YEAS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Schweikert R-AZ (1st), Biggs (AZ) R-AZ (5th), Gosar R-AZ (9th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd), Hamadeh (AZ) R-AZ (8th), Crane R-AZ (2nd)
NAYS: Ciscomani R-AZ (6th)
House Vote 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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 4:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 yeas to 201 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 nays.
YEAS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
NAYS: 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 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 nays.
NAYS: Stanton D-AZ (4th), Ansari D-AZ (3rd)
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:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ, Kelly D-AZ
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
NAYS: Gallego D-AZ
NOT VOTING: Kelly D-AZ
* * *
The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
* * *
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.
-30-
Congressional Votes for Alaska for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Alaska voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed the ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Alaska voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passed theMiracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 2:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 4:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 yeas to 201 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 5:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 7:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 nays.
NAYS: Begich R-AK (AL)
House Vote 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 nays.
YEAS: Begich R-AK (AL)
SENATE VOTES:
Senate Vote 1:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
NOT VOTING: Murkowski R-AK
YEAS: Sullivan R-AK
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Murkowski R-AK, Sullivan R-AK
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Murkowski R-AK
YEAS: Sullivan R-AK
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Murkowski R-AK, Sullivan R-AK
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
YEAS: Murkowski R-AK, Sullivan R-AK
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
YEAS: Murkowski R-AK, Sullivan R-AK
* * *
The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
* * *
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.
-30-
Congressional Votes for Alabama for the Week of Sept. 5-11, 2025
By Arne Christensen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Alabama voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025.Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition.
The Senate also passed ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Here's a look at how members of Congress in Alabama voted for the week of Sept. 5-11, 2025. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (H.R. 3428), to require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a review of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions; and the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591), to require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals in aviation who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition. The Senate also passedthe Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 452), to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics; a resolution (S. Res. 371), honoring the victims and survivors of the recent mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis; and a resolution (S. Res. 383), commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with the surrender of Imperial Japan and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and European theaters of war.
HOUSE VOTES:
House Vote 1:
MANAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICE SPACE: The House has passed the Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act (H.R. 3424), sponsored by Rep. Robert F. Onder, R-Mo., to direct the General Services Administration to work with federal government agencies on improving shared-space building leasing arrangements for the agencies. Onder said that by improving coordination between agencies, the bill sought to increase their effective use of leased space, which would save money. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 397 yeas to 1 nay.
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 2:
REPEALING MILITARY FORCE APPROVALS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to repeal Congress's 1991 and 2002 authorizations of military force for the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. Meeks said: "By remaining on the books, these AUMFs only risk abuse by administrations of either party to sanction military force that Congress has not considered or approved." An opponent, Rep. Brian J. Mast, R-Fla., said the amendment did not account for the impact on military operations the repeals would have. The vote, on Sept. 10, was 261 yeas to 167 nays.
NAYS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
YEAS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
House Vote 3:
MILITARY GENDER TRANSITION FUNDING: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar funding for gender transition procedures by the military's Exceptional Family Medical Program. Norman said the program "should be used fully to support families with special needs and chronic illnesses, not for gender transition procedures." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said: "This is restricting healthcare that could be incredibly necessary for young people and also for other family members. It is bigoted, discriminatory, and unnecessary." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 221 yeas to 210 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 4:
MILITARY ATHLETICS AND GENDER: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar male Army and Navy students from participating in female athletic activities and programs. Mace said: "Allowing men to compete in women's sports is patently unfair and robs women and girls of accomplishments and opportunities." An amendment opponent, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said it would "lead to challenges on all women's bodies, making the military and academies less safe for any women to enlist." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 227 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:
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND RADAR SYSTEMS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have required Defense Department certification that offshore wind farms planned in the Atlantic Ocean would not interfere with the operation of government radar facilities. Smith said failing to consider the interference problem "puts people in airplanes, people in aviation, military and civilian, at grave risk." An opponent, Rep. Salud O. Carbajal, D-Calif., said "these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 209 yeas to 224 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 6:
MILITARY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to eliminate statutory preferences for the Defense Department to use electric and hybrid vehicles in favor of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Patronis said: "How in the world can the most powerful military in the whole world live up to that reputation while driving a bunch of weak EVs that require charging?" An opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said "it makes no sense to remove the consideration of practices that can make energy performance or goals or plans more efficient." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 224 yeas to 208 nays, with 1 present vote.
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:
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND BORDER CONTROL: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to modify federal law by increasing penalties for trespassing on national defense areas located along the border with Mexico. Wilson said: "Effective prosecution of individuals apprehended will have a complementary impact for determining future crossings both for repeat and first-time offenders." An amendment opponent, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said: "Law enforcement and the military already have sufficient tools to deter and respond to intrusions without felony charges, and this isn't a proportionate punishment, especially if no one is harmed." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 228 yeas to 205 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 8:
FLAGS FLOWN AT MILITARY BASES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to strike a statutory provision that allows military base commanders discretion to fly non-U.S. flags. Mills said: "Imagine what our enemies would think of our strength and resiliency if we ever allow flags flown contrary to the principles of America. I promise you that as much as this stands as the military standard, it also serves as deterrence to our adversaries." An amendment opponent, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said "dictating to federal employees and troops what flags they can have at their workstations" would be "both ridiculous and extreme government overreach." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 222 yeas to 210 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 9:
MEDIA BIAS AND THE MILITARY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), to bar the military from making contracts with businesses that place military recruitment advertisements on the basis of standards involving fact-checking, misinformation, or political bias. McCormick cited Defense Department contracting with businesses such as NewsGuard that he said have consistently wrongly awarded lower ratings to conservative media outlets than liberal media outlets. An amendment opponent, Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., D-Calif., said: "Do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 219 yeas to 211 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 10:
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND MILITARY LANDS: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), that would have authorized the Defense Department to bar land it controls from being listed as critical endangered species habitat. Biggs said the habitat designations "do precious little to recover species but everything to block land use and weaken our defenses. They are a direct assault on our national security." An amendment opponent, Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., said: "Actions to protect these species do not hinder national security, and managing endangered species in balance with our mission is something the Department of Defense already does very well." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 200 yeas to 228 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 11:
2026 MILITARY BUDGET: The House has passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3838), sponsored by Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., to authorize about $880 billion of fiscal 2026 spending at the Defense Department, as well as spending on military construction and military-related programs at the Energy Department. Rogers said the bill "delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries. It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families." An opponent, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said that by blocking consideration of Democratic proposed amendments to the bill, House leadership had created "a partisan exercise instead of an exercise focused on the American servicemembers, their families, and making sure that our country has what it needs." The vote, on Sept. 10, was 231 yeas to 196 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 12:
FUNDING FOR FOOD STAMPS: The House has rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., that would have instructed conferees with the Senate on reconciling the two chambers' versions of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (H.R. 3944). The motion would have adopted the Senate amendment to the bill, establishing $8.2 billion as the funding level for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DeLauro said the House-passed version of the bill failed to give WIC "the resources it needs to help Americans keep food on their tables." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 211 yeas to 213 nays.
NAYS: Aderholt R-AL (4th), Palmer R-AL (6th), Moore (AL) R-AL (1st), Rogers (AL) R-AL (3rd), Strong R-AL (5th)
YEAS: Sewell D-AL (7th), Figures D-AL (2nd)
House Vote 13:
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND CRIMINAL LAW: The House has passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to establish or increase criminal penalties for aliens who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, or commit felony crimes after illegally entering the country. Bice said the bill gave law and border enforcement agencies "the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable and safeguard our communities." A bill opponent, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said it "would impose draconian mandatory minimums, even life sentences, for nonviolent acts like returning to reunite with loved ones. That is not justice. That is cruelty." The vote, on Sept. 11, was 226 yeas to 197 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:
FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Edward Artau to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Artau has been a circuit court and then an appeals court judge for the Florida government for the past decade, after two decades as a lawyer in several different roles. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed Artau's nomination was a reward for Artau having acted in President Trump's favor when a panel of Florida judges that included Artau ruled to allow Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize board to proceed earlier this year. The vote, on Sept. 8, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 2:
MISSOURI JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Maria Lanahan to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lanahan has been a lawyer in Missouri's Attorney General's office for four years; she was a law clerk previously, and a private practice and corporate lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., criticized Lanahan for helping Missouri challenge approval of the mifepristone abortion drug. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 3:
HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Robert Law to be the Homeland Security Department's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Formerly a senior counselor at Homeland Security, Law was a senior policy official at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the first Trump administration. An opponent, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said: "If Robert Law is confirmed, I am concerned that he will neglect vital missions of the Department and make Americans less safe." The vote, on Sept. 9, was 49 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 4:
SECOND FLORIDA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kyle Christopher Dudek to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Dudek, a magistrate judge on the Middle District court for the past three years, was a private practice lawyer and law clerk from 2011 to 2022. The vote, on Sept. 9, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 5:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS: The Senate has tabled an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2296), that would have required the Justice Department to make publicly available its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving him. Schumer said: "The American people deserve transparency. The American people are sick of Donald Trump's endless string of pathological lies and coverups when it comes to the Epstein files." The vote to table, on Sept. 10, was 51 yeas to 49 nays.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
Senate Vote 6:
REVIEWING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES: The Senate has agreed to a cloture motion to end debate on a resolution (S. Res. 377), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to authorize the Senate to consider groups of presidential nominations for sub-Cabinet and non-judicial positions in en bloc votes, rather than have to consider and hold individual votes on nominees separately. Thune said that restoring the precedent of timely Senate action on a president's nominees "would restore sanity to a confirmation process that Democrats and Republicans alike have complained is broken." A motion opponent, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said senators needed to have more time to negotiate the issue and allow for the possibility of removing "a bad apple" from a group of nominees before an en bloc vote happens. The vote to end debate, on Sept. 11, was 53 yeas to 43 nays. Separate measures taken yesterday resulted in the resolution taking effect.
YEAS: Tuberville R-AL, Britt R-AL
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The long name of H.R. 3838 is the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act. The short name is the National Defense Authorization Act. The short name was used in all the amendment votes, to improve readability.
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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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