HOW TEXAS VOTED

WASHINGTON — Here’s how U.S. senators from Texas voted on major issues last week. The House was in recess.

1. Confirming Justice Brett Kavanaugh:

Confirmed, 50-48, Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, 53, of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was the only Democrat voting for Kavanaugh and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican present in the chamber who did not vote for him. Murkowski voted no when the roll was called, then withdrew that vote as a courtesy to Montana Republican Steve Daines, a Kavanaugh backer who was absent from Washington due to his daughter’s wedding. The “pairing” between Murkowski and Daines had no effect on the outcome of the confirmation vote. Murkowski was officially recorded as “present” for the roll call.

A yes vote was to confirm Kavanaugh.

2. Advancing Kavanaugh nomination:

Agreed, 51-49, to a motion that would invoke cloture, or limit debate, on the nomination of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, 53, of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, as an associate justice on the Supreme Court. This advanced the nomination to Saturday’s final vote following up to 30 hours of additional debate. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican voting no and Joe Manchin of West Virginia was the only Democrat voting yes.

A yes vote was to advance the Kavanaugh nomination.

3. Programs to combat opioids addiction:

Voted, 98-1, to give final congressional approval to a package of 70 bills that would authorize $500 million over three years for state and local programs to fight the growing national addiction to illicit drugs including opioids.

The bill would require the postal service to develop technology for detecting substances including fentanyl in packages from abroad just as private carriers must do. In addition, the bill would increase the number of recovery facilities for drug addicts; allow up to 30 days’ Medicaid coverage of opioids addicts age 21 to 64 who are inpatients in mental institutions; expand government and private research into non-addictive pain therapies; allow Medicaid reimbursement for treating infants born with addictions and expand telemedicine access in rural areas.

A yes vote was to send HR 6 to President Trump.

4. Aviation programs, disaster aid, FEMA:

Voted, 93-6, to give final congressional approval to a bill (HR 302) that would budget $90 billion for aviation programs including airport improvements over five years while reauthorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency through September 2023 and requiring it to allocate a larger share of its resources to mitigating damage from disasters. In addition, the bill empowers security agencies including the FBI to shoot down drones deemed a “credible threat” to individuals or federal facilities; requires airlines to grant attendants 10 hours’ rest between flights, up from eight at present; sets minimum dimensions for passenger seats; prohibits the bumping of passengers already on board; and bars the use of cellphones for in-flight calls.

A yes vote was to send the bill to President Trump.