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

Gray wolves as endangered species. Passed 196-180, a bill (HR6784) that would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove gray wolves from Endangered Species Act protection in the lower 48 states, prohibit judicial review of the action and shift authority for managing the species to the states. The bill responds to the concerns of livestock producers and others in Western communities where the increased wolf population is viewed as a threat. But opponents said that even with federal protection, the wolves occupy only 5 percent of their historic range and 36 percent of their suitable habitat. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., said “the re-emergence of the gray wolf has caused a number of problems for ranchers, their livestock, as well as citizens in their homes with their pets, and a decimation of the wildlife population. … Any attempt to curtail or outright ban people in local communities from protecting themselves or their private property from these predators should be opposed.”

Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said: “This bill completely eliminates scientists from the decision-making process. It short-circuits the [Endangered Species Act] science-based process that determines when species have recovered and when protections are appropriately removed. Instead of a new law to eliminate protections, we ought to be working with landowners, local and state agencies and others to prevent conflicts so that we and wolves can both thrive.”

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

✔ Rick Crawford (R)

✔ French Hill (R)

✔ Steve Womack (R)

✔ Bruce Westerman (R)

U.S. military role in Yemen. Adopted 201-187, a parliamentary rule for debating HR6784 (above). Drafted by the Republican majority, the rule drew opposition because it barred debate on a resolution backed by many Democrats that would require U.S. military operations in Yemen to receive congressional authorization under the 1976 War Powers Act. The resolution (HConRes 138) addressed the Pentagon’s support of Saudi-led air attacks on Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. That support, which until recently included aerial refueling of Saudi warplanes, began about 2015 but has never received congressional authorization or more than fleeting debate in the House and Senate chambers. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., said the resolution “is based on a factually faulty premise: We are not involved in hostilities in Yemen, so the War Powers Act should not apply. As a result, even if this resolution passed both chambers, [the U.S. military] would not need to alter any of its activities.”

Joe Courtney, D-Conn., said: “Sadly, this rule is another example of the complete abdication by the 115th Congress of its duty to act as a check on a co-equal branch of government. This rule is another surrender by a weak-kneed majority on its way out the door to the executive branch. To quote ‘The Hollow Me’ by T.S. Eliot, this Republican 115th Congress is `ending not with a bang but a whimper.’”

A yes vote backed a rule that prohibited debate on a measure spotlighting U.S. military involvement in Yemen.

✔ Crawford (R)

✔ Hill (R)

✔ Womack (R)

✔ Westerman (R)

SENATE

$300 million arms to Bahrain. Killed 77-21, a measure (SJRes65) that would block the administration’s planned sale of $300 million in U.S. arms to Bahrain. The package consists mainly of surface-to-surface missiles and mobile rocket launching units along with American technical support. Bahrain, part of a Saudi-led coalition waging war in Yemen, is host to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. Backers called this a proxy vote against American involvement in Yemen’s civil war, while advocates of the arms sale say it would benefit a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. Resolution sponsor Rand Paul, R-Ky., said: “This is a proxy vote. This is a vote that represents whether we should be at war in Yemen. It is an attempt to grab back power from the presidency. It is an attempt to have a check and balance on all presidents of all parties of all beliefs.”

Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said: “This vote is not [about] Yemen. It is Bahrain. Bahrain is a critical ally to us. It hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, providing a vital naval base from which the United States protects its national security interests in the gulf and throughout the region.” A yes vote was to support a planned arms sale to Bahrain.

✔ John Boozman (R)

✔ Tom Cotton (R)

Invasive species, Coast Guard budget. Passed 94-6, a bill (S140) that would combat the problem of vessels discharging ballast water that introduces invasive aquatic species into the Great Lakes and Atlantic and Pacific ports. The bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate such discharges under the Clean Water Act while giving the Coast Guard power to enforce compliance and allowing Great Lakes states to set stronger regional standards.

In addition, the bill requires the Coast Guard to assess its mission in the Arctic, where climate change is melting ice formations and opening navigable waterways. The bill authorizes $20.7 billion for the Coast Guard in fiscal 2018-19, up 14 percent from 2016-17. The bill also gives the Coast Guard more legal authority and equipment for combating maritime crimes including drug trafficking, expands its jurisdiction over recreational boating, and funds a modernization of aircraft and cutter fleets.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the House.

✔ Boozman (R)

✔ Cotton (R)

Michelle Bowman, Federal Reserve governor. Confirmed 64-34, Michelle Bowman, the top banking regulator in Kansas and a former community bank executive, to the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System. Bowman also was employed at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security in the George W. Bush administration. The term for her seat expires in 2020. Five of the Fed’s seven board seats are now filled. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said Congress “created a specific [Fed] seat for someone [who has] either worked in or supervised a community bank. (Bowman) satisfies both of those statutory requirements, and she is even more qualified with her impressive background in public service and the private sector.” Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said Bowman was “yet another Trump nominee who will help unravel Wall Street reform and who will give big banks free rein again,” adding she “failed during a hearing to provide the committee any insight on her views on monetary policy, regulation and financial instability in other words, all of the issues that affect our economy that she will make decisions on.”

A yes vote was to confirm the nominee.

✔ Boozman (R)

✔ Cotton (R)