Congressional roll call

Here’s how area members of Congress voted on major issues during the week ending Nov. 10.

HOUSE

GUN VIOLENCE: Voting 233-182, the House on Nov. 7 blocked an attempt by Democrats to force floor debate on legislation (H Res 367) that would establish the Select Committee for Gun Violence Prevention comprising six Republican and six Democratic members. Now in committee, the measure would probe the causes of mass shootings, exploring means of keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and the mentally ill and tightening background checks on firearms purchasers, among other topics. The vote occurred two days after a shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland

Springs, Texas, that left 26 people dead and 20 wounded. Had Democrats prevailed on this vote, they would have had an opportunity to bring their legislation to the floor. A yes vote opposed floor debate on the gun measure.

John Faso, R-Kinderhook: Yes

Sean Maloney, D-Cold Spring: No WORKPLACE LIABILITY:

Voting 242-181, the House on Nov. 7 passed a GOPdrafted bill (HR 3441) that would change the National Labor Relations Board’s “joint employer” standard in a way that would make it more difficult for workers to file actions against employers. The standard comes into play when at least two businesses share control of workers, which occurs, for example, when companies outsource hiring to staffing agencies or utilize contract employees. At present, the board holds employers responsible for violations of workplace laws if they have indirect or direct control over workers. This bill would limit liability to employers who exercise direct and immediate control over workers’ terms and conditions of employment. In so doing, it would grant broad immunity against workplace litigation to franchisors and companies that rely heavily on outside personnel. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate. Faso: Yes

Maloney: No HYDROPOWER APPROVALS: Voting 257-166, the House on Nov. 8 passed bill (HR 3043) that would designate the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the lead agency for licensing hydropower projects on American waterways. The bill is intended to expedite what is now a lengthy approval process involving other federal agencies, environmental laws including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, and the rights of tribes, states and localities to manage water resources within their boundaries. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate. Faso: Yes

Maloney: No STOCK OFFERINGS: Voting 232-188, the House on Nov. 9 passed a bill (HR 2201) that would allow certain small businesses to sell stock in private offerings free of Securities and Exchange Commission registration and transparency rules. Those rules are intended to discourage fraud and inform investors about the soundness of marketed securities. For example, they require companies to submit certified financial statements and disclose information about management including any criminal records. Under this bill, firms would be exempt from registering securities if the aggregate amount of the private offering is less than $500,000 over 12 months and there are 35 or fewer purchasers, each of whom has a pre-existing relationship with the issuer. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate. Faso: Yes

Maloney: No

SENATE

ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIAL: Voting 49-47, the Senate on Nov. 9 confirmed William L. Wehrum as assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation. Wehrum held a similar position in the George W. Bush administration, and in recent years he has been a partner in a Washington law firm that represents the American Petroleum Institute and electric utilities in environmental litigation. He will direct the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning electric utilities. A yes vote was to confirm the nominee.

Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.:

No Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.: No

COMING UP

The House this week will take up a tax-overhaul bill. The Senate will vote on nominees for positions in the Trump administration.