HOW THEY VOTED
MAJOR CONGRESSIONAL ROLL CALLS FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCT. 2
VOTERAMA IN CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield
■ 4100 Empire Drive, Suite 150, Bakersfield, CA 93309
■ 661-327-3611 or 202-225-2915
■ kevinmccarthy.house.gov
T.J. Cox, D-Fresno
■ 2700 M St., Suite 250B, Bakersfield, CA 93301
■ 661-864-7736 or 202-225-4695
■ cox.house.gov
PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER:
Voting 397-5, the House on Sept. 29 adopted a measure (H Res 1155) affirming “the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for by the Constitution” if President Donald Trump is voted out of office this year. This was a response to Trump’s repeated refusal to commit to relinquishing power on Jan. 20, 2021, should he lose the November election. A yes vote was to adopt the resolution.
McCarthy: YES Cox: YES
CONDEMNING SURGICAL PROCEDURES ON IMMIGRANT WOMEN:
Voting 232-157, the House on Oct. 2 adopted a condemnation (H Res 1153) of unwanted gynecological surgery allegedly performed in recent years on numerous women held for immigration offenses at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility is managed by the private firm LaSalle Corrections, and the operations reportedly were performed at a nearby hospital. The Department of Homeland Security inspector general recently opened an investigation of the allegations, which were raised in a nurse’s whistleblower complaint. A yes vote was to adopt the resolution.
McCarthy: NO Cox: YES
APPROVING $2.2 TRILLION FOR CORONAVIRUS RELIEF:
Voting 214-207, the House on Oct. 1 approved a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package (HR 925) that would authorize $600 per week in added jobless benefits through January and a second round of stimulus payments of $1,200 to individuals and $2,400 to families up to certain income levels, plus expanded child tax credits. The bill also provides, in part, $436 billion for state, local, tribal and territorial governments; $182 billion for K-12 schools; $120 billion for restaurants; $75 billion for coronavirus testing, tracing and isolation; $57 billion for child care centers; $50 billion for tenants’ rental assistance; $50 billion for hospitals serving poor communities; $50 billion in grants to small businesses; $39 billion for higher education; $28.3 billion for airline payrolls; $28 billion for vaccine procurement, distribution and education; $21 billion in homeowner mortgage aid; $15 billion to sustain the Postal Service and $3.6 billion to boost ballot security and voter participation in this year’s elections. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.
McCarthy: NO Cox: YES
SENATE
Dianne Feinstein, D-San Francisco
■ 2500 Tulare St., Suite 4290, Fresno, CA 93721
■ 559-485-7430 or 202-224-3841
■ www.feinstein.senate.gov
Kamala Harris, D-Los Angeles
■ 2500 Tulare St., Suite 5290, Fresno, CA 93721
■ 559-497-5109 or 202-224-3553
■ www.harris.senate.gov
HEALTH CARE LAW BEFORE SUPREME COURT:
Voting 51-43, the Senate on Oct. 1 turned back a Democratic attempt to end the Trump administration’s advocacy before the Supreme Court of litigation to strike down the Affordable Care Act. The bill (S 4653) needed 60 votes to advance. The court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Nov. 10 in the lawsuit Texas v. United States that would kill the 2010 health law, and the Department of Justice has filed a brief in support of the suit. A yes vote was to end administration involvement in the repeal lawsuit.
Feinstein: YES Harris: NOT VOTING
APPROVING STOPGAP FEDERAL BUDGET:
Voting 84-10, the Senate on Sept. 30 passed a bill (HR 8337) to fund the government on a stopgap basis in the opening weeks of fiscal 2021, which began Oct. 1. The bill, which became necessary when Congress failed to pass regular appropriations bills for the new budget year, will fund agencies at 2020 spending levels through Dec. 11. A yes vote was to send the bill to President Trump.
Feinstein: YES Harris: NOT VOTING