How Texans Voted s1

April 29, 2012

Summary of how Cornyn, Hutchison and Poe voted last week:

Senate

Violence Against Women Act: Passed, 68-31, and sent to the House a bill (S 1925) to renew the Violence Against Women Act through fiscal 2016 and expand it to cover gay men and undocumented immigrants who are abused by spouses or partners. The bill also expands protections for children and the elderly and Native American women. The bill makes it easier to bring charges under the Telecommunications Act against persons making obscene or harassing telephone calls and addresses rape and other sexual crimes on college campuses, in part by requiring schools to publish crime statistics. A yes vote was to pass the bill. Cornyn No, Hutchison Yes

Republican Substitute: Defeated, 37-62, a Republican substitute to S 1925 (above). While the GOP plan also extended coverage to gay men, it was less comprehensive and costly than the underlying bipartisan bill. The substitute differed, in part, by setting mandatory minimum sentences for child pornographers, bolstering the role of U.S. Marshals in tracking sex offenders and imposing stricter oversight over Department of Justice funding of anti-violence programs. A yes vote backed the GOP substitute. Cornyn Yes, Hutchison Yes

Rules For Union Elections: Failed, 45-54, to kill a new rule by the National Labor Relations Board that will advance the date of union-organizing elections by days or weeks. This defeated a GOP measure (SJ Res 36) that sought to quash the rule, which is due to take effect April 30. Under the rule, elections on whether workers will form into collective-bargaining units could be held as soon as ten days after the NLRB certifies the election petition, not the usual 35 days or longer. The new rule quickens the election timetablemainly by reducing the number of pre-election hearings and filings and deferring certain challenges until after voting has occurred. A yes vote was to kill the new rule. Cornyn Yes, Hutchison Yes

Postal Service Overhaul: Approved, 62-37, a restructuring of the U.S. Postal Service aimed at putting the agency on a profitable basis by October 2015. The bill (S 1789) would use buyouts and early retirements to trim today’s 547,000- employee workforce by 100,000 positions; start new delivery services that do not compete unfairly with the private sector; use $11 billion in retirement-fund overpayments to finance the massive staff reduction; delay rural post-office closings for at least one year; continue Saturday deliveries for at least two years; close some mail distribution centers; cut payments to employees’ retirement and health care accounts; reduce workers’ compensation obligations and cap the pay of top postal executives at $199,000. The postal service posted a $5.5 billion loss in fiscal 2011. The House will take up a competing measure. A yes vote was to pass the bill. Cornyn No, Hutchison No

Collective-Bargaining Rights: Defeated, 23-76, defeated an amendment to S 1789 (above) to strip Postal Service employees of their collective bargaining rights, in response to the fact that 80 percent of the agency’s total expenditures are labor costs. A yes vote backed the amendment. Cornyn Yes, Hutchison No

Local Postal Autonomy: Defeated, 35-64, an amendment to S 1789 (above) to start testing a decentralization of the U.S. Postal Service in which local offices would have autonomy to cut costs, define service levels and launch innovative programs without approval from headquarters. Opponents called this a step toward privatization that could end the postal service as a nationwide institution with uniform standards. A yes vote backed the amendment. Cornyn Yes, Hutchison Yes

Union Dues, Political Donations: Defeated, 46-53, a Republican bid to add the so-called “Paycheck Protection Act” to S 1789 (above). Under that proposed law, individual postal workers would have to give permission before their union dues could be spent on political contributions. A yes vote backed the amendment. Cornyn Yes, Hutchison Yes

Student-Loan Interest Rates: Passed, 215-195, a Republican bill (HR 4628) to prevent studentloan interest rates from doubling on July 1 from the present 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. This affects the pocketbooks of some 7.4million students who have received Stafford Loans for college expenses. The bill would offset the subsidy’s $5.9 billion annual cost by cutting the 2010 health law’s fund to promote preventive-care, or “wellness,” programs. The bill is now before the Senate, where Democrats, who control that chamber, also want to keep the student-loan interest rate from doubling on July 1. But they would offset the cost by effectively raising payroll taxes on some wealthy owners of S corporations. A yes vote was to pass the bill. Poe Yes

Women’s, Children’s Health care: Defeated, 178-231, a Democratic motion that sought to prevent health care-spending cuts in HR 4628 (above) from reducing benefits in or raising the cost of private medical insurance for women and children. The motion sought to protect treatments such as mammogram, cervical cancer and pregnancy screenings from being diminished by the “pay for” in the Republicans’ student-loan bill. A yes vote backed the motion. Poe No

Cyber security, Civil Liberties: Approved, 248-168, and sent to the Senate a bill (HR 3523) to expand data-sharing between federal security agencies and private businesses in order to bolster U.S. defenses against cyber security attacks from terrorists, foreign governments, rogue hackers, overseas business competitors and others. Named the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), the bill lowers privacy, security classification and anti-trust barriers to enable data sharing between the public and private sectors. A yes vote was to pass the bill. Poe Yes

Financial Deregulation: Passed, 312-111, a bill (HR 3336) to exempt derivatives transactions by small banks, credit unions, nonprofit-cooperative lenders and farm credit institutions from transparency and collateral requirements set by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial regulation law. A yes vote was to pass the bill. Poe Yes

Active Legislation 112th Congress (2011-2012) Updated April 27th, 2012

Reference: The Library of Congress Thomas Details of bills can be found at: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/b_three_sections_with_teasers/acti ve_leg_page.htm

Categories Appropriations Agency Authorizations Public Laws, 112th Congress (selected) Popular Documents Program Authorizations

Currently Active Bills that may receive floor action this week. Senate chamber NLRB election rule, resolution of S.J.Res.36 H.J.Res.103 disapproval S.353, S.1010, S.1625, Postal Service, overhaul USPS H.R.2309 S.1789* Violence Against Women Act, FY 2012- S.1925*, S.2338 2016 House chamber H.R.2096, H.R.3523, H.R.3674, H.R.3834, Cybersecurity S.2105, S.2151 H.R.4257, H.R.4263 Student loans, extend current 3.4 H.R.4628*, H.R.4816 S.2343, S.2366 percent interest rate

Popular Titles and Subjects # — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page 3% withholding rule, repeal H.R.674 P.L.112-56 1099, repeal expansion of reporting H.R.4 P.L.112-9 requirements A — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page S.877, S.906, S.1484, Abortion, prohibit taxpayer funding of H.R.3, H.R.217, H.R.358 S.1488 B — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page S.J.Res.3, S.J.Res.5, H.J.Res.1, H.J.Res.2, H.J.Res.4, H.J.Res.10, S.J.Res.10, H.J.Res.11, H.J.Res.14, H.J.Res.18, H.J.Res.23, Balanced budget amendment S.J.Res.23, H.J.Res.41, H.J.Res.52, H.J.Res.54, H.J.Res.56, S.J.Res.24 H.J.Res.81, H.J.Res.87, H.J.Res.89, H.J.Res.102 Buffett Rule S.2230 Burma sanctions resolution H.R.2017 Sec. 140, P.L.112-33 C — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page China currency manipulation S.1619 Congressional pay raise, eliminate S.133, S.148 H.R.246, H.R.343, H.R.431 automatic adjustment Contraception, revise coverage S.1467, S.2043, requirements in order to protect "rights S.Amdt.1520 to H.R.1179, H.R.3897 of conscience" S.1813 Credit unions, raise small business S.2231 H.R.1418 lending caps Cut, Cap, and Balance S.1340 H.R.2560 H.R.2096, H.R.3523, H.R.3674, H.R.3834, Cybersecurity S.2105, S.2151 H.R.4257, H.R.4263 D — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page S.575, S.Amdt.392 to Debit card fees H.R.1081 S.782 Debt limit S.365 P.L.112-25 Debt limit, disapproval of increase of 500 billion dollars submitted on August S.J.Res.25 H.J.Res.77 2, 2011 Debt limit, disapproval of increase of 1.2 trillion dollars submitted on S.J.Res.34 H.J.Res.98 January 12, 2012 Debt limit, prioritize all obligations if S.1420 H.R.2651 reached Defense sequestration, prevent by reducing number of Federal S.2065 H.R.3662 employees DREAM Act S.952 H.R.1842 Drug shortages S.296 H.R.2245 Dual eligibles, require drug S.1206 H.R.2190 manufacturers to provide drug rebates E — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page EPA, restrict or delay Federal S.J.Res.27, S.482, Sec. 4015, H.R.1, H.R.153, H.R.910, H.R.2250, regulation of greenhouse gases and S.Amdt.183 to S.493 H.R.2401, H.R.2584 air pollution S.Amdt.215 to S.493 F — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Farm bill DRAFT Federal workforce, reduce number of Federal employees S.1476, S.1611, S.1936 H.R.2114, H.R.3029, H.R.3487, H.R.3494 (SEE ALSO: Defense sequestration) H — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Health care overhaul, prohibit use of H.R.1, H.R.1217, H.R.1213, H.R.1214, Federal funds to implement provisions H.R.2434, H.Con.Res.35 Health care overhaul, repeal and S.192, S.Amdt.13 to H.R.2, H.Res.9, H.R.299, H.R.397, H.R.1050, replace S.223 H.R.3682 House spending, reduce authorization H.Res.22 amounts for 2011-12 I — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Insider trading, restrictions on nonpublic information provided to S.2038 P.L.112-105 Congressional and Federal employees IPO bill SEE: Small business jobs Iran sanctions S.1048, S.2101 H.R.1905, H.R.2105 J — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page S.1549, S.1660, Jobs bill S.1720 Jobs bill, infrastructure spending S.1769, S.1786 Jobs bill, teachers and first responders S.1723 Jobs bill, veterans H.R.674 P.L.112-56 K — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Keystone XL Pipeline, require permit Title II, H.R.4348 issuance Keystone XL Pipeline, require H.R.3765 Title V, P.L.112-78 Presidential action L — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Libyan conflict, involvement of U.S. S.Res.194, S.J.Res.18, H.Res.292, H.J.Res.68, H.R.2278 Armed Forces S.J.Res.20 Line-item veto and rescission authority S.102 H.R.1043, H.R.3521 M — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Medicare "doc fix", extend through H.R.3630 Title III, P.L.112-96 December 31, 2012 Medicare "doc fix", extend through H.R.3765 Title III, P.L.112-78 February 29, 2012 Military pay, continue to receive during S.724*, S.774, S.855, H.R.1297*, H.R.1362, H.R.1442, H.R.1508, funding gaps S.1365 H.R.2886 N — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Net neutrality rule, resolution of S.J.Res.6 H.J.Res.37 disapproval No Child Left Behind, revise and H.R.1891, H.R.2218, H.R.2445, H.R.3989, DRAFT reauthorize H.R.3990 NLRB election rule, resolution of S.J.Res.36 H.J.Res.103 disapproval Nominations, reduce number of executive branch positions subject to S.679 Senate confirmation NPR, prohibit Federal funding of H.R.1076 O — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page S.516, S.843, S.861, Offshore drilling S.916, S.917, S.953, H.R.1229, H.R.1230, H.R.1231 S.1400 Oil and gas companies, tax code S.258, S.940* H.R.601, H.R.1813, H.R.1959 changes Online piracy S.968, S.2029 H.R.3261, H.R.3782 P — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Patent law H.R.1249 P.L.112-29 PATRIOT Act, 90-day extension of H.R.514 P.L.112-3 certain provisions PATRIOT Act, extend certain S.990 P.L.112-14 provisions Pay freeze for Federal and Congressional employees, extend S.2079 H.R.3835 through December 31, 2013 Payroll tax cut, extend through H.R.3630 Title I, P.L.112-96 December 31, 2012 Payroll tax cut, extend through H.R.3765 Title I, P.L.112-78 February 29, 2012 PIPA SEE: Online piracy Planned Parenthood funding Section 4013, H.R.1, H.Con.Res.36 S.353, S.1010, S.1625, Postal Service, overhaul USPS H.R.2309 S.1789* R — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Rescission requests, establish an SEE: Line-item veto expedited procedure for the President Regulations, postpone implementation H.R.2587, H.R.2250, H.R.2681, H.R.2273, of certain Federal rules H.R.1633 Regulations, require Congressional S.299 H.R.10 approval of major Federal rules Regulations, revise requirements for S.1606 H.R.3010 federal agency rulemaking Rights of conscience SEE: Contraception S — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Senate rules, amend rules related to S.Res.8, S.Res.10, cloture and floor debate S.Res.21 Senate rules, amend rule related to S.Res.28 notices of intent to object Senate rules, amend rule related to S.Res.29 reading of amendments Small business jobs bill, ease security H.R.3606 P.L.112-106 regulations for startups Small business tax cuts H.R.9 SOPA SEE: Online piracy Spending caps (Also included in some of the Balanced Budget resolutions and the S.245, S.J.Res.4 H.R.1605, H.R.1848, H.R.2041, H.J.Res.51 Cut, Cap, and Balance bills. SEE: Balanced budget amendment, Cut, Cap, and Balance.) STOCK Act SEE: Insider trading Student loans, extend current 3.4 S.2343, S.2366 H.R.4628*, H.R.4816 percent interest rate Syria, impose sanctions with respect S.2034, S.2101 H.R.2106 to human rights T — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page TANF, extend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families H.R.3765 Sec. 312, P.L.112-78 program through February 29, 2012 TANF, extend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families H.R.3630 Title IV, P.L.112-96 program through FY 2012 U — Active Legislation Key Return to top of page Unemployment compensation, extend H.R.3765 Title II, P.L.112-78 through February 29, 2012 Unemployment compensation, extend H.R.3630 Title II, P.L.112-96 through December 31, 2012 Unemployment compensation, funding S.904 H.R.1745 and eligibility requirements

Sources: Library of Congress, Houston Chronicle