Yeas and Nays – How the Alabama delegation voted this week: 1/15/16
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate this week: House votes H.R. 1644: the Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act. The bill prevents the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal-mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of existing rules in effect — effectively delaying any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. Passed House 235-188: Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 3662: the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. The bill restricts the president’s ability to lift sanctions on Iranian and other financial institutions as called for by the Iran Nuclear agreement, by allowing sanctions to be lifted only if the president certifies that the institutions have not knowingly helped fund Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards, foreign terrorist organizations, and other entities sanctioned in connection with Iran’s weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile programs. Pulled by unanimous consent. S.J. Res. 22: a joint resolution to disapprove a EPA/Corps of Engineers rule governing Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The resolution disapproves of the rule issued by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on June 29, 2015, commonly known as the “waters of the United States” rule that seeks to clarify the federal government’s authority to regulate certain intrastate waters under the Clean Water Act, providing that the rule will have no force or effect. The Senate passed the resolution in November, acting under the Congressional Review Act. Passed House 253-166. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Senate votes PN11. On the nomination of Luis Felipe Restrepo of Pennsylvania to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 3rd Circuit. Passed the Senate 82-6-12. Yea: None Nay: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby
This week in the U.S. House of Representatives: Jan. 11 – Jan. 15, 2016
While it may be a short legislative week, both the House and Senate will be in session starting Monday. There are two, big non-legislative events on the schedule this week: President Barack Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address Tuesday evening, and the Republican Conferences of both chambers leave Washington after voting Wednesday for their annual GOP retreat. Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives is in session and will consider several bills under Suspension of the Rules, including H.R. 757: which strengthens and expands existing sanctions against North Korea in the wake of its recent nuclear weapons test. A full list of bills can be found here. Other legislation up for consideration this week: H.R. 1644: the Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act. The bill prevents the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of existing rules in effect — effectively delaying any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. H.R. 3662: the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. The bill restricts the president’s ability to lift sanctions on Iranian and other financial institutions as called for by the Iran Nuclear agreement, by allowing sanctions to be lifted only the president certifies that the institutions have not knowingly helped fund Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards, foreign terrorist organizations and other entities sanctioned in connection with Iran’s weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile programs. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) S.J. Res. 22: a joint resolution to disapprove a EPA/Corps of Engineers rule governing Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The resolution disapproves of the rule issued by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on June 29, 2015, commonly known as the “waters of the United States” rule that seeks to clarify the federal government’s authority to regulate certain intrastate waters under the Clean Water Act, providing that the rule will have no force or effect. The Senate passed the resolution in November, acting under the Congressional Review Act. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby Highlights of what is happening in House Committees this week: SBA Access to Capital: Tuesday, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing titled “SBA Management Review: Oversight of SBA’s Access to Capital Offices.” More information here. Iraq/Syria: Tuesday, the House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Outside Views on the U.S. Strategy for Iraq and Syria and the Evolution of Islamic Extremism.” More information here. Veterans Backlog: Tuesday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “1988 to 2016: VETSNET to VBMS; Billions Spent, Backlog Grinds On.” More information here. Nuclear Energy: Tuesday, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a markup of H.R.4084: the “Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act.” More information here. Judiciary: Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a markup of H.R.3406: the “Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2015”; H.R.4240: the “No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act”; and H.R.1854: the “Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015.” More information here. Senate Schedule: S. 2232: the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. Deemed the “Audit the Fed” bill, the legislation would increase congressional oversight of the Federal Reserve and direct the Government Accountability Office to undertake a full audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the Federal Reserve Banks and report its findings to Congress. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None.
Direct mail round-up: Highlighting Alabama’s conservative fighters
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby has sent out a new campaign mailer asking Alabama voters to vote for him in the upcoming Republican primary on March 1. Titled “Alabama’s Conservative Fighters,” the mailer features Shelby alongside fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions. Sessions, a well-regarded conservative, is quoted saying, “Richard has been a rock-solid partner for me on immigration and other budget battles we have fought.” The back-side of the mailer lists a myriad of Shelby’s Senate accomplishments — from taking on President Barack Obama‘s Syrian refugee program to challenging Planned Parenthood funding to denying money to Obamacare — and wraps up with “Let’s keep Alabama’s conservative Senators together in the fight, re-elect Sen. Richard Shelby for U.S. Senate March 1st!” Shelby will face Iraq War veteran Jonathan McConnell, former state Sen. Shadrack McGill, John Martin and Marcus Bowman in the March 1 primary — the winner of which will likely take the Senate seat in November. Here’s the full mailer:
Alabama delegation votes on $1.1 trillion Omnibus bill
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill by an overwhelming 316-113 vote Friday morning, wrapping up a frenzied month of legislating just in time for the lawmakers to head home for the holidays. The so-called Omnibus bill — a massive year-end spending bill that incorporates legislation from the 12 appropriations subcommittees as well as reforms to the Visa Waiver program and lifting a ban on U.S. oil exports — funds the federal government through September 2016. The bill now heads over to the U.S. Senate where it is expected to clear the chamber later Friday without the support of Alabama Sens. Richard Shelby or Jeff Sessions. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) was the sole Alabama Republican to vote for the bill. He joined 149 of his GOP peers in supporting the measure, along with 95 Democrats including Alabama’s lone Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07). The remainder of the seven-member delegation — Reps. Bradley Bryne, Martha Roby, Mike Rogers and Gary Palmer — voted against the bill. Here’s what delegation members are saying about their votes: U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): Our nation is at war, and I could not support a government funding bill that fails to address the reality of the serious security challenges our nation is facing. I was disappointed the bill did not include provisions to block any funding from going to the Syrian refugee resettlement program. For months now, I have been warning about the legitimate problems posed by this program, and this bill fails to prevent the President from bringing Syrian refugees into the United States. Statement from U.S. Rep. Martha Roby‘s (AL-02) Communications Director Todd Stacy: Representative Roby takes her role on the Appropriations Committee seriously. For the last year she fought to craft conservative spending policies that kept faith with our priorities and values. Unfortunately, this Omnibus bill abandoned that work and did not reflect the conservative principles she has fought for, so she voted against it. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): I am outraged that the bill that passed today did not prohibit funding for President Obama to bring refugees from the Syrian conflict to America. What happened in California demonstrates that Islamic terrorists are ready and willing to use our lax immigration system to enter our country to do us harm. Now, President Obama will be able to carry out his plan to let thousands of refugees from the Syrian conflict into the U.S. I have no confidence that these refugees can be properly vetted by this Administration. President Obama’s plan is dangerous and I will continue to fight against it. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05) Thursday prior to his Friday vote: Tomorrow, Congress will once again be forced to vote on a hastily thrown together $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that is 2,009 pages long, that very few Senators and Congressmen have had the time to read much less fully understand, that no one was allowed to amend on the House floor, and that further undermines America’s solvency. While I am thankful the omnibus bill increases funding for NASA’s Space Launch System and America’s national security, empowers Decatur’s United Launch Alliance to compete for critical defense space payloads, and reduces burdensome regulations on America’s farmers, these and other positive things could and should be done without increasing the risk of a debilitating American insolvency and bankruptcy, without using taxpayer money to empower President Obama to pay illegal aliens to break our laws and come to America, without increasing terrorism risks by paying Syrians to come to America, without forcing American taxpayers to pay for other peoples’ abortions, and without permitting President Obama to quadruple H-2B visas so that more foreign workers can take jobs from and undermine the wages of struggling American families. Rather than instituting a deliberate, long-term budgeting process that provides certainty for job creators and minimizes America’s risk of a debilitating insolvency and bankruptcy, this omnibus bill makes matters decidedly worse. The dramatic expense, compounded by the increased security and terrorism risks forced on American citizens, is unconscionable. That is why I am voting “No” on this misguided legislation. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): A spending bill should reflect the priorities of our nation. This $1.1 trillion bill does not. It continues to pile debt on our children without sufficient reforms. Furthermore, it fails to include numerous policy priorities that should have been included. Recently, a veto-proof majority of the House passed legislation to strengthen the vetting of Syrian refugees. This reform should have been included in this bill, but was not. This bill also allows funds to continue to flow to Planned Parenthood and does nothing to defund Obama’s unlawful administrative amnesty. The bill does have a few good provisions, like lifting the ban on crude oil exports, which I have long supported. Unfortunately even this significant victory is overcome by the numerous deficiencies. The process to get to this point was no better than the underlying legislation it produced. I hope that going forward, the process will be different. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): My vote was cast in favor of keeping the government operating and to continue to make critical investments agency programs that benefit all Americans. I also firmly believe that we cannot afford another shutdown and this bill provides the Federal Government with funding through September 30, 2016. The omnibus provides much needed increases for a broad range of education programs including Head Start, Title I grants, aid to HBCUs, the TRIO and GEAR UP programs, and rural education. Providing the resources low-income families need to increase their academic success is one of my highest priorities, and this legislation is a first step in the right direction. This is not a perfect bill, but I am proud that both sides of the aisle were able to work out a compromise that benefits our nation, and helps us continue to grow.
Robert Bentley comes out in support of Jeff Sessions, Richard Shelby’s Omnibus votes
In advance of Friday’s impending vote on the Congressional Omnibus appropriations bill, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued a statement regarding Alabama Sens. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby‘s intentions to vote against the legislation. “As Alabama’s Governor, I have called into question the Obama Administration’s flawed refugee resettlement program and the dangerous refugee vetting process aimed at excluding states,” said Governor Bentley in a news release. “For over a month, I have asked for, and have yet to receive any answers or viable solutions from the Obama Administration. “I commend Alabama Senator Richard Shelby and Senator Jeff Sessions on their intention today to vote no on the omnibus spending bill. That bill does not block the Obama Administration’s Syrian refugee resettlement program and further allows the President to keep states in the dark when it comes to knowing who is being admitted into our country and into our state. A majority of this nation’s governors are in agreement that the refugee vetting process, as it stands now, is unacceptable.” In November, Bentley sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and another federal official with the U.S. Department of State requesting reports on the refugee reception program in Alabama and failed to receive a response. Joined this month by several other primarily Republican governors, Bentley declared his intent to refuse any incoming refugees should the federal government plan to relocate them within their respective states’ borders. “While the omnibus bill contains provisions which are important to Alabama, nothing is more important that protecting our citizens,” Bentley said. “As Governor of Alabama I will do everything I possibly can to protect the people of this state. I commend Senator Shelby and Senator Sessions for standing against the Obama Administration’s unwillingness to solve or address this pressing issue.”
White House, congressional negotiators near agreement on spending, tax cut deal
White House and congressional negotiators moved toward clinching a tax and spending compromise that would cap Congress’ year by extending numerous tax credits and financing government agencies in 2016. Eleventh-hour differences remained over Republican efforts to lift a ban on U.S. oil exports. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday morning that the deal would be released later in the day and come to a vote on Thursday. That would require passage of another short-term spending bill since government funding expires Wednesday at midnight. “I’m not going to predict how the vote count is going to go down. Look, in negotiations like this you win some, you lose some. Democrats won some, they lost some. We won some, we lost some,” Ryan, R-Wis., said at a breakfast hosted by Politico. “At the end of the day we’re going to get this done.” But on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Democrats would not relent on demands that in exchange for allowing American crude oil exports for the first time in four decades, his party wanted provisions aimed at encouraging alternative energy development and protecting Obama administration efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “If Republicans think reducing our carbon emissions and encouraging use of alternative energy is an unacceptable price to pay, we can move the rest of the package” without lifting the oil export ban, Reid said. He added, “It’s decision time.” Appearing with Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., avoided offering details but spoke of the benefits of a long-term deal to extend dozens of tax breaks sought by lawmakers on both sides. McConnell said such a deal would make a larger tax reform package easier to achieve next year, while satisfying business goals, including extending a research and development tax credit and a popular deduction for equipment purchases. “Making those permanent is, I think, an important shot in the arm to our economy,” McConnell said. A major priority for the GOP and some Democrats was lifting the 40-year-old bar against exporting U.S. crude oil, a remnant of the 1970s oil shortages that industry supporters consider unneeded with today’s explosion of domestic oil extraction. Critics say ending the prohibition would be a windfall to big oil companies that would damage the environment by encouraging more drilling. In exchange, Democrats were seeking concessions including renewing tax breaks for solar and wind energy producers for five years and reviving an environmental conservation fund. Democrats also wanted to block GOP efforts to roll back Obama administration environmental regulations, including one setting new emission standards for power generating plants. Negotiators had sorted through remaining disputes over environment, labor and other provisions in a $1.1 trillion bill financing federal agencies for 2016. The final package is expected to ignore conservative demands for language clamping down on Syrian refugees entering the U.S. Instead it would contain changes to the “visa waiver” program that allows visa-free travel to the U.S. for citizens of 38 countries, including France and Belgium, where many of the Paris attackers were from. Lobbyists said the spending package would likely lack a provision pushed by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., easing curbs against gun violence research by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also in play were about 50 lapsed and expiring business and individual tax breaks that the two sides were looking to extend, in some cases permanently. The price tag of the overall package was unclear but it could mushroom to several hundred billion dollars over a decade, which would further add to federal deficits. “If I can play it right, both sides should walk out of here feeling pretty good,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee. Lobbyists said bargainers had tentatively agreed to postpone the launch of a tax on high-value health insurance plans from 2018 to 2020. There may also be a two-year pause in the existing 2.3 percent medical device tax and a one-year suspension of a levy currently imposed on health insurers, which the companies generally pass on to customers as higher premiums. Those three taxes were boosted as part of President Barack Obama‘s 2010 health care overhaul to pay for the law’s expanded coverage for millions of people. The administration has long resisted unraveling that statute, but there is strong bipartisan support in Congress for easing those taxes. The two sides also were working to make some expiring business tax credits permanent in exchange for doing the same to tax breaks for children, college students and lower-earning families. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
U.S. Senate candidate Jonathan McConnell releases first statewide radio ad
Republican candidate and conservative businessman Jonathan McConnell released his first statewide radio ad Thursday as he makes a run to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate. In the 1-minute, six-second ad is being emailed and shared with supporters and donors across the state. In it, the former Captain in the United States Marine Corps vows to “keep [America] safe from ISIS terrorists” and will “say no to unchecked Syrian immigrants on American soil.” McConnell is challenging incumbent Richard Shelby (R-AL) for the GOP nomination in next November’s general election for the Senate seat, claiming Shelby has “abused [his] power for profit, and Alabama has paid the price.” Listen to the McConnell ad below: Ad transcript: ANNOUNCER: Small businessman, Marine, outsider, that’s conservative Republican Jonathan McConnell. Captain Jonathan McConnell led over a hundred Marines in Iraq. Later he founded a security company that protects American ships from pirates and terrorists. JONATHAN MCCONNELL: Hi, I’m Jonathan McConnell. For over 40 years Senator Shelby and career politicians like him have abused their power for profit, and Alabama has paid the price. While our debt skyrockets politicians continue to put their interests ahead of ours. Enough is enough. America’s in crisis, but Washington’s career politicians only know how to protect themselves. As your senator, I’ll focus on protecting you and your family. I’ll work to eliminate the debt, and illegal immigration, repeal Obamacare, and keep us safe from ISIS terrorists and I’ll say no to unchecked Syrian immigrants on American soil. I’m Jonathan McConnell. I approve this message because we need leaders who will fight for the people of Alabama, not themselves. ANNOUNCER: Captain Jonathan McConnell, the tough tested conservative Christian Republican for U.S. Senate. Paid for by Friends of Jonathan McConnell.
Alabama education advocates applaud passage of Every Student Succeeds Act
Wednesday, the U.S. Senate approved the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 85 to 12. Designed to update America’s public school system, the bill has now been sent to President Barack Obama for a signature. Education advocates say the new legislation, which replaces No Child Left Behind, gives states more control. Alabama GRIT – a statewide coalition of parents, teachers, military personnel, business leaders and civic organizations that advocates for high expectations in Alabama schools – agrees and supported the law’s passage. “For years, the democratically-elected Alabama State Board of Education’s efforts to raise academic expectations in our schools have been hampered by misconceptions about the federal government’s role in Alabama’s adoption of our College and Career Ready Standards, which were based on the Common Core State Standards,” said Caroline Novak, chair of Alabama GRIT and president of A+ Education Partnership. “This bill should put to rest any concerns Alabamians hold about who determines what is learned in Alabama’s classrooms,” Novak continued. “We hope that statewide conversations moving forward will now focus on what we can do together to provide students and teachers what they need to be successful.” Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the same bill by a vote of 359 to 64. Among other provisions, this legislation restores control of education to state and local school boards by: Prohibiting any federal government entity from coercing or incentivizing states into adopting standards such as Common Core or specific assessments; Ending the U.S. Secretary of Education’s ability to influence state education policies through executive fiat and conditional waivers; Prohibiting the U.S. Department of Education from imposing any additional mandates on states and school districts in the areas of standards, assessments and state accountability plans, beyond what is specified in the legislation; and, Codifying that adoption of standards and assessments are solely the prerogative and responsibility of the states and not the federal government. “As we move forward, we are hopeful that we can now focus on what is taking place inside Alabama’s classroom instead of politics and misperceptions,” said Jessica Hammonds, executive director of Alabama GRIT. “By reducing the role of the federal government in education in Alabama, our state and local boards of education can create clearer paths to help every child in Alabama reach his or her full potential in life, whether they continue on to college or directly enter the workforce after high school.” The Alabama delegation, in both chambers, were split on the vote. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01), Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02), Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) all voted in support of ESSA. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05), Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) all voted against it.
Martha Roby, Richard Shelby take opposing views on education reform bill
Last week, with Rep. Martha Roby‘s (AL-02) support, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to scale back the federal government’s role in American education by passing the Every Student Succeeds Act. The bill, approved 359-64, replaces the 2002 No Child Left Behind law and hands over much of the decision-making power back to states and school districts across the country, while simultaneously ending federal efforts to encourage academic standards such as Common Core guidelines. The legislation would however retain the testing requirements, which many parents, teachers and school districts detest. Though it reforms the process and now grants the states the decision-making power over how to use the test results in assessing teachers and schools. “This is a big win for parents, teachers, administrators and anyone who has been frustrated by the federal intrusion in education policy,” explained Roby. “It isn’t just important for the current issues we know about. It’s also important for the next pet policy the Secretary of Education favors. Maybe that’s next year or five years from now, but I want to take away their ability to improperly coerce states once and for all, and that’s what my language does.” But not all Alabama lawmakers share Roby’s positive thoughts of the legislation. While U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) took a stand against the legislation prior to the U.S. Senate‘s Wednesday vote. “While this bill may be well-intentioned and makes some improvements to our current policy, it is a missed opportunity to truly put an end to unnecessary federal intervention into education,” said Richard Shelby. “I have always believed that education decisions should be made at a local level and that Congress should empower parents and teachers – not Washington bureaucrats. Instead, this bill extends some of the same failed policies that could provide a path for top-down federal mandates like Common Core.” Shelby isn’t the only one who disapproves of the pending legislation. Roby’s primary challenger, Wetumpka Tea Party President Becky Gerritson calls Roby’s support of the bill a “headscratcher.” “[Roby’s] vote yesterday is yet another example of her support for Common Core, for top-down one-size-fits-all standards, for psychological profiling of our young students, and for the federal government dictating what goes on in our classroom,” Gerritson said in an email to her supporters. “I don’t know if Martha Roby agreed with every portion of this bill or if she was just doing what she was told by fellow members of the Establishment. What I do know is that this is yet another example of Martha leaving the values of the Second District at home. When Martha Roby goes to DC, her every action supports making government bigger, more unconstitutional, and more intrusive.” But not everyone in the 2nd Congressional District shares Gerritson’s concerns. Roby put out a press release Wednesday citing the support and approval of several district educators, including Dothan City Schools Superintendent Chuck Ledbetter, Ed. D. “While it isn’t perfect, it is does return more of the education policy making role to the states and local school boards,” assures Ledbetter. “It continues to emphasize education equity for all students while giving back control of how equity and excellence are achieved to those closer to the students who can make better, individualized decisions to help students learn. We appreciate Rep. Roby’s help in curtailing federal overreach and her willingness to support this important education bill.” The Senate approved the legislation Wednesday, 85-12 with the support of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), and it is now on its way to President Barack Obama‘s desk to be signed into law.
Yeas and Nays – How the Alabama delegation voted this week: 11/20/15
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues this week in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate: House votes H.R. 3819: A short-term reauthorization of federal-aid highway and transit programs. House and Senate conferees are currently negotiating a long-term reauthorization but are not expected to reach a final agreement this week. The current authorization expires on Friday, Nov. 20. Passed by voice vote. H.R. 511: the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. The bill adds Native American tribes to the list of entities that are excluded from the definition of “employer” in the National Labor Relations Act and re-instating Congress’ initial intent when it first passed the NLRA in 1935, thereby treating them similarly to state and local governments. Passed the House: 249-177. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 1737: the Reforming CFPB Indirect Auto Financing Guidance Act. The bill nullifies 2013 guidance issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) denying the public a chance to comment on regulations directly impacting them. Passed the House, 332-96. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 1210: the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act. The bill creates a safe harbor from lawsuits for banks that originate non-qualified mortgages that do not comply with ability-to-repay requirements, as long as the bank retains the mortgage in its own portfolio. The bill is meant to unwind certain restrictive Dodd-Frank regulations in order to expand access to mortgages and home ownership. Passed the House, 255-174. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 3189: the Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization (FORM) Act. The bill brings greater accountability and transparency to the Federal Reserve. Passed the House, 241-185. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) A motion to go to conference on legislation reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, which under its last reauthorization was known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The House in July passed H.R. 5, the Student Success Act to reauthorize ESEA through 2019 and make fundamental changes to many of its programs, while the Senate later that month passed its own ESEA reauthorization (S. 1177). Passed by voice vote. H.R. 4038: the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act: requires that refugee applicants from Iraq and Syria not be admitted to the United States until and unless the FBI Director, Homeland Security Secretary and Director of National Intelligence all certify that the applicant is not a security threat. Passed the House, 255-174. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Senate S.J.Res.23: a joint resolution that strikes an EPA rule on greenhouse gas emissions Passed the Senate, 52-46. Yea: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby Nay: N/A S.J. Res. 24: a joint resolution that strikes an EPA rule on carbon pollution emission guidelines Passed the Senate, 52-46. Yea: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby Nay: N/A On the nomination of Peter William Bodde, of Maryland, to be Ambassador to Libya. Passed the Senate, 95-0. Yea: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby Nay: N/A On the nomination of LaShann Moutique DeArcy Hall, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District. Passed the Senate, 93-1. Yea: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby Nay: N/A
Richard Shelby to face primary challengers
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby may finally have to tap into his $19 million campaign war chest — he’s being primaried. Filing just before the Friday 5 p.m. deadline, Iraq War veteran and small business owner Jonathan McConnell announced he would challenge the five-term Republican senator in a primary. McConnell, 33, of Homewood, made the announcement at the Alabama Republican Party headquarters. “Washington is broken. But instead of leaders who are focused on solving the problem, our politicians are focused on profiting from the work we send them to do in Washington. That’s why I’m running – because its time to put an end to politicians who profit while we pay,” said McConnell. A graduate of Auburn University, Captain McConnell served in the Marines from 2005 – 2008, where he was stationed on the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq in 2006 and was then redeployed to the Syrian Border in 2007 where he commanded the Second Mobile Assault Platoon and was Executive Officer of Weapons Company. Upon returning, he earned his law degree at the University of Alabama. While a law student, McConnell founded Meridian Global Consulting — a global maritime security company which combats the Somali Piracy threat against merchant vessels — where he currently serves as President and CEO. While he’s not been in office himself, McConnell is no stranger to politics. His father, Roger McConnell, was chairman of the Alabama Republican Party in 1993-94. “We need that kind of bold, conservative leadership in Washington. The insiders and politicians are ruining this country, and we need to take it back from them before they do any more damage,” McConnell explained in a statement.. McConnell isn’t Shelby’s only primary opponent. Former state Sen. Shadrack McGill, John Martin and Marcus Bowman will all face-off in the March 1 primary — the winner of which will likely take the Senate seat in November.
Yeas and Nays – How the Alabama delegation voted this week: 11/06/15
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues this week in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate: House votes H.R. 22: the Surface Transportation Reauthorization & Reform Act/aka the Drive Act. The bill represents a combination of the Senate-passed long-term highway bill (the DRIVE Act) with language reported out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This bill reauthorizes federal highway, mass transit and safety programs for six years, through fiscal 2021, mostly at current levels – but it covers Highway Trust Fund shortfalls to provide full program funding for only the first three years. The House considered numerous amendments to the legislation culminating in a final “wrap up” vote to combine the legislation and amendments as well as a vote on a motion to go to conference with the Senate in order to produce a final bill. On the final “wrap up” vote, Passed the House: 363-64. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Nay: Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) On the motion to go to conference, Passed the House: 371-54. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Nay: Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) S. 1356, the revised National Defense Authorization (NDAA) Conference Agreement for FY 2016. The bill authorizes $599 billion for the Pentagon and defense-related programs for FY 2016, $5 billion less than both the president’s overall request and the original conference agreement. The president vetoed the original agreement on Oct. 22, objecting to its $38 billion in base defense funding in the uncapped Overseas Contingency Operations account. Passed the House 370-58. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Nay: Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Senate votes S.1140: Federal Water Quality Protection Act. Clean Water Act Dispute: The Senate voted to invoke cloture to advance the GOP bill that would kill a new Environmental Protection Agency rule giving Clean Water Act protection to waters such as wetlands and tributaries that are upstream of navigable waters. A yes vote was to advance S.1140 to full debate. Failed the Senate, 57-41. Yea: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby Nay: N/A Key votes ahead In the week of Nov. 9 – Nov. 13 , the House will be in Veterans Day recess, while the Senate will continue to debate fiscal 2016 military spending.
