How Arkansas’ congressional delegation voted
Here is how Arkansas’ U.S. senators and U.S. representatives voted on major roll call votes during the week that ended Friday.
HOUSE
Stopgap funding to reopen government. Passed 266-150, a bill (HR195) that would fund agencies through Feb. 9, extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program for six years and end a partial government shutdown then in its third day. This marked Congress’ fourth passage of a temporary federal budget since October.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., blamed Senate Democrats for the partial closure and said: “We all know this shutdown was an embarrassment. It didn’t need to happen. It should have never happened, and it will not happen again.” Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said: “Here we are ending the Trump shutdown with Republicans’ fourth stopgap short-term bill. The Republicans have failed to get their act together for the fourth time to fund the government for a full year.”
A yes vote was to send the bill to President Donald Trump, who signed it into law.
✔ Rick Crawford (R)
✔ French Hill (R)
✔ Steve Womack (R)
✔ Bruce Westerman (R)
SENATE
Temporary funding to end shutdown. Passed 81-18, a bill (HR195, above) that would fund the government through Feb. 9 under a pledge by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to allow a vote by then on the status of an estimated 800,000 young, illegal aliens known as “Dreamers” who face potential deportation starting March 5. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said: “Folks, the reality is, this shutdown happened because Democratic leadership didn’t get everything they wanted in this funding bill.” Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said: “For the first time in five years, we will have debate on the floor of the Senate on the Dream Act and immigration. To all the Dreamers who are watching today, don’t give up.” A yes vote was to end a three-dayold partial government shutdown.
✔ John Boozman (R)
✔ Tom Cotton (R)
Alex Azar, health secretary. Confirmed55-43, Alex M. Azar, 50, as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, where he will replace Tom Price, who resigned in September in a scandal involving his official travel. Azar had been president of the U.S. division of the pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Company since 2012 and was a deputy Health and Human Services secretary under former President George W. Bush. He drew Democratic criticism over his stand against allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, among other issues.
A yes vote was to confirm Azar.
✔ Boozman (R)
✔ Cotton (R)
Jerome Powell, federal reserve chairman. Confirmed 8413, Jerome H. Powell as chairman of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, replacing Janet L. Yellin. Powell, 64, a Republican, joined the Fed board in May 2012 as an appointee of President Barack Obama. A former attorney in private practice and investment banker but not an economist, he was undersecretary of the Treasury for domestic finance under President George H.W. Bush. By law, the 94-yearold Fed operates independently of Congress and the White House. Its main duties are to conduct U.S. monetary policy, provide financial services to depository institutions and the Treasury, and regulate banks to contain risk. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, said Powell as chairman would ensure “a safe and sound financial system while also supporting a vibrant, growing economy. He will play a key role in right-sizing federal regulations and alleviating unnecessary burdens, a stated goal of the Federal Reserve.” Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said: “We need a Fed chair who can stand up to Wall Street and think about the needs of working families in this country. We need someone who believes in the toughest rules for banks, not in weaker rules for banks. That person is not Governor Powell.”
A yes vote was to confirm Powell to a four-year term as Fed chairman.
✔ Boozman (R)
✔ Cotton (R)
Sam Brownback, ambassador at large. Confirmed 50-49, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the decisive vote, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, 61, as ambassador at large for international religious freedom. Based in the Department of State, the office monitors religious persecution and discrimination around the globe while promoting religious freedom as an element of U.S. foreign policy. Brownback drew Democratic criticism over his record of infusing personal religious beliefs into social issues, including women’s reproductive rights and LGBT protections. Before becoming governor in 2012, Brownback served Kansas as a U.S. House member and senator in a congressional career spanning 17 years. No senator spoke for Brownback during brief debate on his nomination.
Opponent Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said that along with his “troublesome record on protecting the rights of LGBTQ individuals,” Brownback declined to say at his confirmation hearing “whether political leaders should be able to use religion to deny women access to health care and deprive them of their basic human rights. His silence spoke volumes.”
A yes vote was to confirm Brownback.
✔ Boozman (R)
✔ Cotton (R)