HOW TEXANS VOTED

WASHINGTON – How the Texas congressional delegation voted on major issues last week:

Senate 1. Sanctuary cities, immigration enforcement:

Failed, 5344, to reach 60 votes for advancing a bill (S 3001) that would deny economicdevelopment and community-block grants to “sanctuary” cities or states that refuse to act as an arm of federal immigration enforcement. Officials in sanctuary cities say that to assist the Department of Homeland Security in this fashion would undercut community-policing efforts that depend on rapport with immigrant populations. A yes vote was to advance the bill.

2. Stiffer penalties for undocumented aliens:

Failed, 55-42, to reach 60 votes needed to advance a bill (S 2193) that would increase from two years to five years the maximum sentence for persons convicted of illegally entering the U.S. The bill also would require mandatory minimum sentences of five years for undocumented aliens with aggravated felony records who illegally re-enter the U.S. after deportation. The bill failed, in part, because it runs counter to bipartisan congressional efforts to reduce prison overcrowding resulting from the imposition of long minimum sentences for less-serious crimes. A yes vote was to advance the bill.

3. Federally required GMO labels:

Passed, 63-30, a bill (S 764) that would require food labels on consumer shelves to list genetically modified organisms under standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill would override GMO label laws enacted by states. A yes vote was to send the bill to the House.

House 1. 2017 IRS, kudiciary, D.C. budgets:

Passed, 239-185, a fiscal 2017 appropriations bill (HR 5485) that would provide $10.9 billion for the Internal Revenue Service, $9.2 billion for the General Services Administration, $7 billion for the federal judiciary, $1.5 billion for the Securities and Exchange Commission, $883 million for the Small Business Administration, $725 million for the District of Columbia, $692 million for the executive office of the president and $315 million for the Federal Communications Commission, among other outlays. The bill would end a requirement that corporations disclose certain campaign-finance activity to the SEC; prohibit the IRS from issuing a rule on the political activities of tax-exempt 501 (c)(4) organizations; suspend the FCC’s “net neutrality” rule until court challenges are resolved; bar the FCC from regulating broadband rates and put the Consumer Financial Protection Agency budget under congressional control. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

2. Rules for payday lenders:

Defeated, 182240, a Democratic bid to advance a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule, now in draft stage, that would begin federal regulation of companies that provide high-interest “payday” loans and similar credit secured by the borrower’s future paychecks. The amendment was offered to HR 5485 (above), which would prohibit the bureau from spending its funds to put the rule into effect. A yes vote was to advance a proposed payday-lending rule.

3. Funding IRS guidance on tax-exempt activity:

Defeated, 183-239, a Democratic amendment to bolster IRS scrutiny of 501(c)(4) socialwelfare groups. Under the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, these nonprofit groups can receive contributions and engage in political activity. But to qualify for tax-exempt status, they cannot devote a majority of their activities to politics. The underlying bill (HR 5485) would prohibit the IRS from issuing guidance to help groups comply with this requirement. A yes vote backed IRS scrutiny of certain tax-exempt organizations.

4. Disclosure of corporate donations:

Defeated, 186-236, a Democratic amendment in support of the Securities and Exchange Commission requiring corporations to disclose their political contributions to 501(c)(4) social-welfare organizations (preceding issue). The SEC is planning a rule that would require publicly traded companies to disclose their political spending to the SEC and thus to shareholders. The underlying bill (HR 5485) would kill the rule by starving it of funds. A yes vote backed the SEC’s planned rule on political disclosures.

5. Rules for mandatory arbitration:

Defeated, 181-236, a Democratic amendment in behalf of draft Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules to govern mandatory-arbitration language in consumer contracts including credit-card agreements. When they agree to such language, customers usually forgo their right to seek redress in court and, instead, commit to having disputes settled by arbitration panels. A yes vote was backed a draft rule to limit mandatory-arbitration agreements. A yes vote was for sending the bill to the Senate.

6. Overhaul of mentalhealth programs:

Passed, 422-2, a bill (HR 2646) that would expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage, including prescriptiondrug coverage, of mentalhealth treatments and services. Overall, the bill would make major changes in federal programs and agencies that help Americans cope with mental illness and substance abuse. By expanding entitlement spending, the bill is projected to add at least $3 billion and possibly tens of billions of dollars to federal debt through fiscal 2025. The bill would address the nation’s shortage of hospital beds and professional staff for psychiatric care; remove criminal incarceration from mental-health hospitals; ease privacy rules to spur information-sharing for diagnoses and treatments; and elevate the standing of mental-health programs in the Department of Health and Human Services. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

7. Health accounts, over-counter medicines:

Passed, 243-164, a GOP-sponsored bill (HR 1270) that would allow individuals to purchase over-the-counter medicines with funds from their Health Savings Accounts. The bill would add $6.6 billion to federal debt over 10 years. Existing law permits individuals to couple HSAs with high-deductible health plans. HSA contributions are tax-free, withdrawals can be used only to pay qualified medical expenses and account balances are invested and carried forward year to year. HSAs are key to House Republicans’ newly released plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate, where it appears likely to fail.