HOW TEXAS VOTED
WASHINGTON — How the Texas congressional delegation voted on major issues last week: Senate
1. Charles Rettig, IRS
commissioner: Confirmed, 64-33, Charles P. Rettig, 62, a tax attorney in private practice in Beverly Hills, Calif., for a five-year term as commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, where he will be in charge of administering and enforcing U.S. tax laws and conventions.
Opposition centered on a recent administration ruling that tax-exempt 501(c) (4) organizations no longer must disclose their donors to the IRS. Those “dark money” groups can spend unlimited amounts on issue advocacy not associated with specific candidates in federal, state and local elections.
A yes vote was to confirm Rettig.
2. $147 billion appropriations bill: Agreed, 92-5, to the conference report on a $147 billion appropriations bill for several departments and agencies in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The $147 billion measure (HR 5895) provides $44.6 billion for energy and water programs, including $4.4 bil- lion for a revolving loan fund to help communities upgrade drinking-water systems. In addition, the bill expands budgets for mental health and suicide prevention programs for veterans and provides $454 million for addressing veterans’ opioids addiction. The bill also boosts nuclearenergy programs.
A yes vote was to approve the conference report. ............................................... 1&2 Cornyn (R) San Antonio Y&Y Cruz (R) Houston Y&Y House 1. $147 billion appropri-
ations bill: Voted, 377-20, to give final congressional approval to a $147 billion package (HR 5895, above) embracing three of the 12 appropriations bills that will fund the government in fiscal 2019, which starts Oct. 1. In part, the bill provides $86.5 billion for veterans programs including health care for seven million individuals; $44.6 billion for energy and water programs; $10.3 billion for construction at military bases; $7 billion for Army Corps of Engineers publicworks projects and $4.8 billion for operating the legislative branch including a boost in funding to defend Capitol Hill against cyberattacks.
A yes vote was to send the bill to President Donald Trump. Gohmert Poe ................................................ (R) Humble (R) Tyler A Y 1 Johnson (R) Plano Y Ratcliffe (R) Heath Y Hensarling (R) Dallas Y Barton (R) Arlington N Culberson (R) Houston Y Brady (R) The Woodlands Y Al Green (D) Houston Y McCaul (R) Austin Y Conaway (R) Midland Y Granger (R) Fort Worth Y Thornberry (R) Clarendon Y Weber (R) Alvin Y Gonzalez (D) McAllen Y O’Rourke (D) El Paso Y Flores (R) Bryan Y Jackson Lee (D) Houston Y Arrington (R) Lubbock Y Castro (D) San Antonio Y Smith (R) San Antonio Y Olson (R) Sugar Land Y Hurd (R) Helotes Y Marchant (R) Coppell Y Williams (R) Austin Y Burgess (R) Flower Mound Y Cuellar (D) Laredo Y Gene Green (D) Houston Y Johnson (D )Dallas Y Carter (R) Round Rock Y Sessions (R) Dallas Y Veasey (D) Fort Worth Y Vela (D) Brownsville Y Doggett (D) Austin Y Babin (R) Woodville Y Y=Yea,N=Nay, A=Not voting, P = Answered “Present” Thomas Voting Reports Inc.