WASHINGTON — Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the week ending Nov. 18.
Along with roll call votes, the Senate this week also passed the following measures by voice vote: the Performance Enhancement Reform Act (H.R. 2617), to amend the description of how performance goals are achieved; and the PROTECT Our Children Act (S. 4834), to reauthorize the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.
House
MISTREATING HORSES: The House has passed the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act Act (H.R. 5441), sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., to have the Agriculture Department inspect horses at various public facilities for cases of soring, which is putting various restrictions on a horse’s legs in order to give the horse a higher gait. Cohen said: “The plague of soring has marred the Tennessee walking horse and related breeds for more than six decades. I am proud to lead the fight to end it.” An opponent, Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., said the soring law would “place an undue ban on equipment making horse shows and events impossible to put on. Equine experts themselves have said these bans are not based on scientific evidence.” The vote, on Nov. 14, was 304 yeas to 111 nays.
NOT VOTING
Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-3rd
WORKPLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASES: The House has passed the Speak Out Act (S. 4524), sponsored by Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., to render unenforceable nondisclosure and nondisparagement clauses in employment contracts that apply to sexual harassment or sexual assault cases. A supporter, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said: “These confidentiality clauses have contributed to the culture of silence in cases involving sexual misconduct. As such, they have routinely enabled sexual predators to evade accountability.” An opponent, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said the bill was “too broad and will affect contractual matters completely unrelated to sexual misconduct.” The vote, on Nov. 16, was 315 yeas to 109 nays.