Congressional roll call
Here’s how area members of Congress voted on major issues during the legislative week ending Jan. 22.
House AUSTIN WAIVER:
Voting 326-78, the House on Jan. 21 approved a waiver (HR 335) allowing retired Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin
III to serve as secretary of defense even though he has been out of uniform for less than the seven-year hiatus required by law. Austin retired in April 2016.
A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate (below). Antonio Delgado, DRhinebeck: Yes
Sean Maloney, D-Cold Spring: Yes
Senate
AUSTIN WAIVER: Voting 69-27, the Senate on Jan. 21 joined the House (above) in granting a waiver (HR 335) allowing retired Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin
III to serve as secretary of defense even though seven years have not elapsed since his retirement, as the law requires.
A yes vote was to send the bill to President Biden. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.: No
Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.:
Yes
INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR:
Voting 84-10, the Senate on Jan. 20 confirmed Avril D. Haines, 51, as director of national intelligence, elevating her as the first woman to lead the U.S. intelligence community. Created in response to the 9⁄11 attacks, the DNI is charged with overseeing the 16 U.S. civilian and military spy agencies.
An attorney and trained physicist, Haines was deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2013-15, the first woman to hold that office, and before that a top aide to President Barack Obama on security issues.
A yes vote was to confirm Haines.
Gillibrand: Yes Schumer: Yes DEFENSE SECRETARY:
Voting 93-2, the Senate on Jan. 22 confirmed retired Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III as secretary of defense. He is the first African-American to hold the position in its 74-year history.
When Austin, 67, retired from active duty in April 2016, he was leader of the U.S. Central Command. He was the last commanding general in Iraq in 2010 and 2011 and directed the drawdown of U.S. troops there.
The two “no” votes were cast by Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Mike Lee of Utah.
A yes vote was to confirm Austin.
Gillibrand: Yes
Schumer: Yes
Coming up
The Senate this week will vote on more Biden administration nominees. The House will be in recess.