In this MegaVote for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District:
Recent Congressional Votes
- Senate: Continuing Appropriations Conference Request – Motion to Table
- House: Veterans Program Funds- Continuing Resolution
- House: Women’s and Children’s Nutrition Funds – Continuing Resolution
Upcoming Congressional Bills
- Senate: Continuing Resolution
- House: Continuing resolutions for FDA, national intelligence and border security funds
Recent Senate Votes
Continuing Appropriations Conference Request – Motion to Table – Vote Agreed to (54-46)
As the federal fiscal year came to a close, the Senate rejected a request by the House of Representatives to form a conference committee for fiscal 2014 continuing appropriations. The House request included the insistence that the Senate accept its amendment to the joint resolution to delay the implementation of the Affordable Care Act until January 2015 and repeal the medical device tax included in the law. The vote to table the request fell straight down party lines, with both independent senators joining the 52 Democrats against the House invitation. With the rejection, the Senate effectively ensured the partial federal shutdown that began at midnight on Oct. 1 continued. The day before, the Senate rejected a nearly-identical amendment to the continuing appropriations resolution. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has made it clear that he will not bring a continuing appropriations resolution with any amendments to a vote.
Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES
Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES
Recent House Votes
Veterans Program Funds- Continuing Resolution – Vote Passed (259-157, 15 Not Voting)
After Congress failed to pass a full continuing resolution (CR) last week, the government officially shut down on October 1. The House decided to take up “mini-CRs” to fund various parts of the government like military pay and veterans programs. This particular “mini-CR,” passed by the House Republicans with the help of 35 Democrats, would fund veterans programs including disability payments, education benefits and home loans at current levels until December 15. The bill would also fund the Veterans Benefits Administration at the annualized rate of $2.5 billion to process disability claims.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO
Women’s and Children’s Nutrition Funds – Continuing Resolution – Vote Passed (244-164, 23 Not Voting)
On Friday, the House passed another “mini-CR” to fund the nutrition programs for women, infants and children (WIC). The bill would fund the special supplemental nutrition program until December 15 at post-sequester fiscal 2013 levels. The Senate is extremely unlikely to consider any of the House “mini-CRs.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO
Upcoming Votes
Continuing Resolution – H.J.RES.___
The Senate is unlikely to take up any “mini-CRs” this week, but they may take on a large continuing resolution to fund the government.
Continuing resolutions for FDA, national intelligence and border security funds – H.J.RES.77,78,79
The House is expected to vote on additional “mini-CRs” this week to fund FDA, national intelligence and border security programs.