Here’s how Arizona members of Congress voted on major issues in the week ending Oct. 6.
House
Stricter Abortion Ban: The House on Oct. 3 voted, 237-189, to outlaw abortions after 20 weeks of fertilization on the belief that the fetus can feel pain by then. This repudiates Roe v. Wade’s ruling that abortion is legal up to viability that occurs at about 24 weeks or later. A yes vote was to pass HR 36
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
Women’s Health Exemption: The House on Oct. 3 defeated, 181-246, a bid by Democrats to add an overall woman’s health exemption to HR 36 to go with exemptions already in the bill in cases of incest or rape or to save the mother’s life. A yes vote was to permit abortions after 20 weeks if necessary to protect the mother’s health.
Yes: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
No: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
10-Year GOP Budget: The House on Oct. 5 adopted, 219-206, a Republican budget plan for fiscal 2018-2027 that would set the stage for later legislative action to reduce corporate and individual taxes by $5.4 trillion and non-military outlays by $5.8 trillion. A yes vote backed a budget (H Con Res 71) that would gradually change Medicare to a voucher program and devolve many K-12 education programs to state and local governments.
Yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
10-Year Democratic Budget: Voting 156-268, the House on Oct. 5 defeated a Democratic alternative to H Con Res 71 (above) that called for raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, putting domestic and foreign-affairs spending on a par with military outlays, shoring up the social safety net and improving the Affordable Care Act. A yes vote was to adopt a Democratic budget that would result in an $852 billion annual deficit in fiscal 2027.
Yes: Grijalva, Gallego
No: O’Halleran, McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks, Sinema
Republican Study Committee Budget: Voting 139-281, the House on Oct. 5 defeated the most fiscally harsh of several 10-year budget plans before the House. Drafted by the conservative Republican Study Committee and aiming for balance in six years, this budget called for slashing trillions from domestic and foreign-affairs programs and entitlements including Medicare and Medicaid, repealing the Affordable Care Act and changing Social Security. A yes vote was to adopt a budget that would also cut corporate and individual taxes and boost military spending.
Yes: Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, McSally, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
Black Caucus Budget: The House on Oct. 5 defeated, 130-292, a budget blueprint offered by the Congressional Black Caucus to replace the GOP’s 10-year fiscal plan (H Con Res 71, above). A yes vote backed a budget that would increase funding for education, infrastructure, healthcare and jobs programs; add a public option to the Affordable Care Act; expand Pell Grants and reduce interest rates on student loans.
Yes: Grijalva, Gallego
No: O’Halleran, McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks, Sinema
Progressive Caucus Budget: The House on Oct. 5 defeated, 108-314, a 10-year budget proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus to replace the Republicans’ fiscal plan (H Con Res 71, above). A yes vote was to adopt a budget that called for increasing the minimum wage, reforming immigration laws and investing $2 trillion in infrastructure along with $1 trillion in early-childhood education and universal child-care.
Yes: Grijalva, Gallego
No: O’Halleran, McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks, Sinema
Senate
Confirmation Dispute Over “Net Neutrality”: The Senate on Oct. 2 confirmed, 52-41, Ajit Pai for a second term on the Federal Communications Commission, where he is chairman. A yes vote was to confirm Pai over objections to his plan to repeal the FCC’s “net neutrality” rule on unfettered Internet access.
Yes: Jeff Flake, R
Not voting: John McCain, R
