By Voterama In Congress
Here’s how Arizona members of Congress voted on major issues in the week ending Nov. 10.
House
Select House Committee on Gun Violence: The House on Nov. 7 blocked, 233-182, an attempt by Democrats to force floor debate on a measure (H Res 367) now in committee that would establish the Select Committee for Gun Violence Prevention comprised of six Republican and six Democratic members. Had Democrats prevailed on this vote during debate on H Res 607, they would have had an opportunity to bring the bill to the floor. A yes vote opposed floor debate on the gun measure.
Voting yes: Martha McSally, R-2, Paul Gosar, R-4, Andy Biggs, R-5, David Schweikert, R-6, Trent Franks, R-8
Voting no: Tom O’Halleran, D-1, Raul Grijalva, D-3, Ruben Gallego, D-7, Kyrsten Sinema, D-9
Workplace Liability for Joint Employers: Voting 242-181, the House on Nov. 7 passed a bill (HR 3441) that would change the National Labor Relations Board’s “joint employer” standard in a way that lessens the rights of workers to file actions against employers. The standard comes into play when at least two businesses share control of workers, which occurs, for example, when companies outsource hiring to staffing agencies or utilize contract employees. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.
Yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
Expedited Hydropower Approvals: The House on Nov. 8 voted, 257-166, to name the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the lead agency for licensing hydropower projects. A yes vote was to pass HR 3043 over arguments it imperils state, local and tribal water rights and environmental protection.
Yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
Deregulation of Stock Sales: The House on Nov. 9 voted, 232-188, to allow certain startups to sell relatively small sums of stock in private transactions free of Securities and Exchange Commission registration rules. Under the bill, firms would be exempt from registering securities if the aggregate amount of the private offering is less than $500,000 over 12 months and there are 35 or fewer purchasers, each of whom has a pre-existing relationship with the issuer. A yes vote was to pass HR 2201 over arguments it could lead to fraudulent offerings.
Yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
Senate
William Wehrum, Environmental Official: The Senate on Nov. 9 confirmed, 49-47, William L. Wehrum as assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation. Wehrum held a similar position in the George W. Bush administration, and in recent years he has been a partner in a Washington law firm that represents the American Petroleum Institute in environmental litigation. He will direct the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning electric utilities. A yes vote was to confirm Wehrum.
Yes: John McCain, R, Jeff Flake, R
