Washington, D.C., roll call report

WASHINGTON — Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the week ending March 24.

House

RELATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA AND UNITED KINGDOM: The House has passed a bill (H.R. 1093), sponsored by Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, to have the State Department report to Congress on State’s implementation of a trilateral U.S. security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom that includes cooperation for developing advanced military technologies. McCaul said the measure “will begin to address numerous long-standing challenges in our arms exports to our closest allies and potentially serve as a roadmap for working with other close allies and partners.” The vote, on March 22, was 393 yeas to 4 nays.

YEAS:

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-3rd

RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN: The House has passed a bill (H.R. 1159), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., to require the State Department to periodically update its guidance to Congress regarding U.S. policy toward Taiwan. Wagner said changed guidance was needed given China’s threats against Taiwanese independence, and the bill would “ensure the United States engages Taiwan in a way that deepens our relationship with this important partner.” The vote, on March 22, was 404 yeas to 7 nays.

YEAS:

Perez

SOUTHEAST ASIA: The House has passed the Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations with ASEAN Act (H.R. 406), sponsored by Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, to provide various legal immunities and privileges to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. A supporter, Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., said it “will accord ASEAN representatives in the United States the same diplomatic immunities we provide other regional organizations, such as the EU or the Organization of American States. This is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to that organization.” The vote, on March 23, was 388 yeas to 33 nays.

YEAS:

Perez

OVERRIDING PRESIDENTIAL VETO: The House has failed to override President Joe Biden’s veto of a resolution (H.J. Res. 30), sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., to disapprove of and void a Labor Department rule issued in December 2022 that authorized fiduciaries of retirement plans to consider environmental, social, and governance issues in their management of the plans. Barr said preserving the rule would put Americans “into less diversified, higher fees, and lower-performing portfolios at precisely the time that we need to maximize financial security for Americans approaching retirement.” A resolution opponent, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., said it “sought to nullify a popular and sensible rule that enabled retirement plan managers to make fully informed investment decisions.” The vote, on March 23, was 219 yeas to 200 nays, with a two-thirds majority required to override the veto.

NAYS:

Perez

Senate

COLORADO DISTRICT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Gordan P. Gallagher to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Colorado. A federal magistrate judge in the district since 2012, Gallagher had previously been a practitioner at his own law firm and a prosecutor for Colorado’s government. A supporter, Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colo., cited Gallagher’s “stellar reputation in Colorado and nearly 25 years in service to others.” The vote, on March 22, was 53 yeas to 43 nays.

YEAS:

Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Patty Murray, D-Wash.

IRAN AND MILITIAS IN IRAQ: The Senate has rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to a bill (S. 316) that would have repealed the 2002 authorization of use of military force against Iraq and replaced it with an authorization to use military force against militias in Iraq that are supported by Iran. Graham said the new authorization would “tell the Shiite militias: You come after our troops, we are coming after you.” An opponent, Sen. Timothy Kaine, D-Va., said a new authorization was unnecessary because the executive branch already had ample powers under article II of the Constitution to take measures against the militias. The vote, on March 22, was 36 yeas to 60 nays.

NAYS:

Cantwell, Murray

OVERSIGHT OF MILITARY FORCE: The Senate has rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, to a bill (S. 316) that would have stipulated that no future authorization of use of military force could extend beyond two years. Lee said that by exercising Congress’ proper control of military action, the amendment would “ensure that all Americans have a voice in matters of great importance, especially when it comes to matters of war and peace, and that no president has the power historically reserved for monarchs, despots, and tyrants.” The vote, on March 23, was 19 yeas to 76 nays.

NAYS:

Cantwell, Murray

AUTHORIZATION OF IRAQ WAR: The Senate has rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. James E. Risch, R-Idaho, to a bill (S. 316) that would have conditioned repeal of the 2002 authorization to use military force against Iraq on assurances that repeal would not harm U.S. ability to detain terrorists. Risch said the condition sought to put the U.S. in “as strong a position as we possibly could when we are in detention or litigation” against suspected terrorists. An opponent, Sen. Timothy Kaine, D-Va., said it was unnecessary because no terrorists were being detained under the 2002 authorization. The vote, on March 23, was 41 yeas to 52 nays.

NAYS:

Cantwell, Murray