On Thursday, the House passed the FY2017 appropriations bill for the EPA, the Department of the Interior, and related agencies.
As one can expect from any environment-related bill crafted by the House GOP, it was horrible in many ways. Here is the explanation from the House Democratic leadership:
H.R. 5538 appropriates $32.1 billion in FY 2017 base discretionary budget authority for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other agencies funded in the bill for FY 2017. It is $1.02 billion below the President’s request and $64 million below FY 2016 levels. H.R. 5538 does the most damage to the EPA; the agency would receive $164 million below FY 2016 levels for operating its programs. Additionally, the bill provides no new funds to address Flint’s drinking water, and the Clean Water Revolving Loan fund is cut $349 million below FY 2016 levels.
As has been the case with appropriations bills all year, House Republicans have insisted upon including ideological, controversial policy riders to H.R. 5538 that threaten to derail the bill. H.R. 5538 includes numerous policy riders that: (1) block the Clean Power Plan which would regulate carbon pollution from new and existing electric power plants for the first time; (2) block the EPA’s program for home lead testing; (3) block agencies from calculating the Social Cost of Carbon in rulemaking; (4) block the EPA from issuing new ground-level ozone regulations; (5) block the Department of the Interior from issuing new regulations addressing methane emissions from oil and gas extraction conducted on federal lands; (6) block endangered species protections for the gray wolf, the sage grouse, and the prairie chicken; and (7) block the Interior Department’s stream protection rule regulating the disposal of mining waste.
Additionally, because House Republicans failed to bring a budget to the Floor to guide the appropriations process, the House Appropriations Committee is prevented from presenting an enforceable full list of funding allocations for each appropriations bill, making it difficult to compare this bill to all other appropriations bills in the context of the budget caps with any certainty. Due to this, as well as the large number of harmful policy riders, the Administration issued a SAP, in which the President’s senior advisors stated that they would recommend he veto this bill.
It passed 231 to 196. 3 Democrats bucked the party leadership to vote for it, and 15 Republicans voted against it.
The 3 Democrats were Jim Costa (CA-16), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Collin Peterson (MN-03).
Here are the 15 Republicans:
Justin Amash (MI-03)
Mo Brooks (AL-05)
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Trent Franks (AZ-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Frank Guinta (NH-01)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
John Katko (NY-24)
Steve King (IA-04)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
The Republican NO votes are a mix of those opposing the bill because it is environmentally destructive and those opposing it because it is not environmentally destructive enough.
The House took roll call votes on 53 amendments, which I’ve chronicled and categorized below.
After compiling the votes, one thing that interested me was the question of how the worst Democrats fared in comparison to the best of the Republicans. The chart below shows the number of pro-environment (or, in two cases, “pro-labor”) votes from the worst-voting Democrats and the best-voting Republicans.
Worst Democrats |
Best Republicans |
Collin Peterson (17) |
Vern Buchanan (18) |
Henry Cuellar (24) |
Elise Stefanik (22) |
sanford bishop (33) |
John Katko (23) |
Brad ashford (34) |
Pat Meehan (24) |
Jim costa (36) |
Dave Reichert (25) |
Filemon Vela (42) |
Chris Gibson (28) |
|
Ryan Costello (29) |
|
Frank LoBiondo (29) |
|
Chris Smith (31) |
|
Richard Hanna (33) |
|
Carlos Curbelo (34) |
|
Bob Dold (35) |
|
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (35) |
|
Mike Fitzpatrick (37) |
14 Republicans voted the right way more often than the worst-voting Democrat, Collin Peterson.
10 Republicans voted the right way more often than the second-worst-voting Democrat, Henry Cuellar.
4 Republicans voted the right way more often than the third-worst-voting Democrat, Sanford Bishop.
3 Republicans voted the right way more often than the fourth-worst-voting Democrat, Brad Ashford.
1 Republican voted the right way more often then the fifth-worst-voting Democrat, Jim Costa.
And then no Republicans voted the right way more often than the sixth-worst-voting Democrat, Filemon Vela.
It is worth noting that the 14 Republicans all live in districts that are at least nominally competitive. And they hail almost entirely from New York, New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania, and coastal Florida.
Now on to the amendments themselves…..
Federal Lands (Grazing, Hunting, Forestry, etc.)
Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) offered an amendment to prohibit funds from being used to issue grazing permits or leases in contravention of BLM regulations.
It failed narrowly 213 to 214. 33 Republicans voted for it, and 4 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 4 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
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Niki Tsongas (MA-03) offered an amendment to prevent a provision of the bill that would block BLM resource management plans from going into effect if failing to implement the plans would limit BLM's ability to meet its multiple use obligations, including providing opportunities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
It failed 184 to 241. 8 Republicans voted for it, and 6 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 6 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Eliot Engel (NY-16)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Here are the 8 Republicans:
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
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Jared Polis (CO-02) offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to pursue any additional legal ways to transfer Federal lands to private owners in contravention of existing law.
It failed 188 to 239. 6 Republicans voted for it, and 2 Democrats—Sanford Bishop (GA-02) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—voted against it.
Here are the 6 Republicans:
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
John Katko (NY-24)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Ryan Zinke (MT-AL)
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Raul Grijalva (AZ-03) offered an amendment to prevent funds in the bill from being used to abolish law enforcement offices at the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
It passed 194 to 233. 11 Republicans voted for it, and one Democrat—Collin Peterson (MN-07)—voted against it.
Here are the 11 Republicans:
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Charlie Dent (PA-15)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
John Katko (NY-24)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Fred Upton (MI-06)
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Debbie Dingell offered an amendment to remove language that would exempt a number of potentially damaging activities in National Forests from consideration, including public notice and comment and alternatives analysis, under the National Environmental Policy Act.
It failed 170 to 256. One Republican—Ed Whitfield (KY-01)—voted for it, and 15 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 15 Democrats:
Ami Bera (CA-07)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Pete DeFazio (OR-04)
John Garamendi (CA-03)
Gwen Graham (FL-02)
Denny Heck (WA-10)
Derek Kilmer (WI-06)
Annie Kuster (NH-02)
Jim McDermott (WA-07)
Rick Nolan (MN-08)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
Superfunds
Donald Norcross (NJ-01) offered an amendment to add $15,282,000 to the Hazardous Substance Superfund.
It failed 195 to 232. 16 Republicans voted for it, and 5 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 5 Democrats:
Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Raul Grijalva (AZ-03)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Blumenauer and Grijalva both stand out here, and I’d be curious to hear why they voted against it.
Here are the 16 Republicans:
Mike Bost (IL-12)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Scott Garrett (NJ-05)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Tom MacArthur (NJ-03)
David McKinley (WV-01)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
John Moolenaar (MI-04)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Ryan Zinke (MT-AL)
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Norcross offered another amendment to add $13,060,000 to the Hazardous Substance Superfund (equal to President's Budget request) and reduces Payments in Lieu of Taxes by the same amount.
It failed 143 to 282. 127 Democrats and 16 Republicans voted for it. 225 Republicans and 57 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 16 Republicans:
Lou Barletta (PA-11)
Susan Brooks (IN-05)
Dan Donovan (NY-11)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Scott Garett (NJ-05)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
John Katko (NY-24)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Tom MacArthur (NJ-03)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
John Moolenaar (MI-04)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Fred Upton (MI-06)
Here are the 57 Democrats:
Alma Adams (NC-12)
Pete Aguilar (CA-31)
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Julia Brownley (CA-26)
G. K. Butterfield (NC-01)
Lois Capps (CA-24)
Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)
Gerry Connolly (VA-11)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Susan Davis (CA-53)
Pete DeFazio (OR-04)
Diana DeGette (CO-01)
Suzan DelBene (WA-01)
Sam Farr (CA-20)
Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02)
Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)
John Garamendi (CA-03)
Gwen Graham (FL-02)
Raul Grijalva (AZ-03)
Denny Heck (WA-10)
Mike Honda (CA-17)
Steny Hoyer (MD-05)
Jared Huffman (CA-02)
Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Dan Kildee (MI-05)
Derek Kilmer (WI-06)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01)
Rick Larsen (WA-02)
Dan Lipinski (IL-03)
Alan Lowenthal (CA-47)
Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01)
Ben Lujan (NM-03)
Sean Maloney (NY-18)
Doris Matsui (CA-06)
Betty McCollum (MN-04)
Jim McDermott (WA-07)
Rick Nolan (MN-08)
Ed Perlmutter (CO-07)
Scott Peters (CA-52)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Jared Polis (CO-02)
Kathleen Rice (NY-04)
Raul Ruiz (CA-36)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Bobby Scott (VA-03)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)
Adam Smith (WA-09)
Mark Takano (CA-41)
Mike Thompson (CA-05)
Dina Titus (NV-01)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Pete Visclosky (IN-01)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
Pete Welch (VT-AL)
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Jason Smith (MO-08) offered an amendment to block the use of funds to carry out the third sentence of section 107(f )(1) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
It failed 170 to 257. 72 Republicans joined the Democrats in voting against it.
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Xavier Becerra (CA-34) offered an amendment to strike section 430, which would prohibit the use of funds to develop, propose, finalize, implement, enforce, or administer any regulation that would establish new financial responsibility requirements pursuant to section 108(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
It failed 190 to 236.
6 Republicans joined Democrats in voting for it:
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Tom MacArthur (NJ-03)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Climate Change
Jared Polis (CO-02) offered an amendment to strike section 439, which prohibits regulations to curb methane pollution from oil and gas drilling. The section reads as follows:
Sec. 439. Methane Emissions.—None of the funds made available by this Act shall be used to develop, propose, finalize, implement or enforce—
(1) any rule or guideline to address methane emissions from sources in the oil and natural gas sector under Sections 111(b) or (d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411(b), 7411(d));
(2) any rule changing the term “adjacent” for purposes of defining “stationary source” and “major source” as applied to the oil and gas sector under the Clean Air Act; and
(3) proposed Draft Control Techniques Guidelines for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry released September 18, 2015 (80 Fed. Reg. 56577).
The amendment failed 187 to 240. 8 Republicans joined Democrats in voting for it, and 5 Democrats joined Republicans in voting against it.
Here are the 8 Republicans:
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
David Jolly (FL-13)
John Katko (NY-24)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-28)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Here are the 5 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Marc Veasey (TX-33)
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Mark Pocan (WI-02) offered an amendment to protect the Administration's climate change and environmental sustainability executive order to ensure that no funds be used to weaken the executive order within this Act.
It passed 191 to 236. 10 Republicans voted for it, and 3 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 10 Republicans:
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
David Jolly (FL-13)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Here are the 3 Democrats:
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
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Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) offered an amendment to prevent funds from being used in contravention to a 2009 Interior Department Secretarial Order on climate change.
It failed 192 to 233. 11 Republicans voted for it, and 3 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 11 Republicans:
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
David Jolly (FL-13)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Here are the 3 Democrats:
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
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Scott Peters (CA-52) offered an amendment to strike Section 436 to allow federal agencies to use the social cost of carbon in rule makings and guidance documents.
It failed 185 to 241. 5 Republicans voted for it, and 4 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 5 Republicans:
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Here are the 4 Democrats:
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01)
Terri Sewell (AL-07)
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Scott Peters (CA-52) offered an amendment to strike Section 434 to allow the EPA to regulate ozone-depleting substances under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program to improve public health and fight the root causes of climate change.
It failed 182 to 244. 5 Republicans voted for it, and 7 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 5 Republicans:
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Here are the 7 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
David Scott (GA-13)
Terri Sewell (AL-07)
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Don Beyer (VA-08) offered an amendment to require that no funds made available by this Act be used in contravention of Executive Order 13653 (“Preparing the United States of the Impacts of Climate Change”) or Executive Order 13693 (“Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade”).
It failed 194 to 234. 12 Republicans voted for it, and 3 Democrats—Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—voted against it.
Here are the 12 Republicans:
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Dan Donovan (NY-11)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
David Jolly (FL-13)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
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John Ratcliffe (TX-04) offered an amendment to prohibit funds from being used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the proposed rule entitled `Clean Energy Incentive Program Design Details.
It passed 231 to 197.
12 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it:
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Charlie Dent (PA-15)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
David Jolly (FL-13)
John Katko (NY-24)
Tom MacArthur (NJ-03)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
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Gary Palmer (AL-06) offered an amendment to eliminate funding for Diesel Emission Reduction Grants and sends the savings to the spending reduction account.
It failed 175 to 250. One Democrat—Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)—voted for it with the Republicans, and 67 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.
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Jason Smith (MO-08) offered an amendment to eliminate funding for the Air, Climate and Energy Research Program under EPA.
It failed 208 to 217. 33 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.
Fossil Fuels (Offshore Drilling)
Lois Capps (CA-24) offered an amendment to prohibit funds to be used to process any application for a permit to drill or a permit to modify that would authorize use of hydraulic fracturing or acid well stimulation treatment in the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf.
It failed 172 to 254. 4 Republicans voted for it, and 15 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 15 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Al Green (TX-09)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Jim Himes (CT-04)
Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01)
Ben Lujan (NM-03)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)
Norma Torres (CA-32)
Marc Veasey (TX-33)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Here are the 4 Republicans:
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
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Gwen Graham (FL-02) offered an amendment to ensure none of the funds made available by the Act may be used to research, investigate, or study offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area.
It failed 185 to 243. 22 members of both party voted across party lines.
Here are the 22 Democrats who voted against the amendment:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Karen Bass (CA-37)
John Carney (DE-AL)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Al Green (TX-09)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Raul Grijalva (AZ-03)
Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Eddie B. Johnson (TX-30)
Dan Lipinski (IL-03)
Beto O’Rourke (TX-16)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Bobby Rush (IL-01)
Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
Maxine Waters (CA-43)
Note that 9 out of the 22 are from Texas. I was particularly surprised to see Grijalva here.
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Charles Boustany (LA-03) offered an amendment to ensure that no money is permitted for the implementation of the Well Control Rule, a rule focused on reducing the risks involved in offshore drilling.
It passed 234 to 195. 20 Republicans voted against it, and 10 Democrats voted for it.
Here are the 10 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Dan Kildee (MI-05)
Jim Langevin (RI-02)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Marc Veasey (TX-33)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
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Don Beyer (VA-08) offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to authorize, permit, or conduct geological or geophysical activities in support of oil, gas, or methane hydrate exploration and development in the Atlantic.
It failed 192 to 236. 15 Republicans voted for it, and 8 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 8 Democrats:
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Dan Lipinski (IL-03)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
Here are the 15 Republicans:
Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
David Jolly (FL-13)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
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Don Young (AK-AL) offered an amendment to prohibit funds to be used to remove 3 Arctic Sales from the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Program.
It passed 242 to 185. 8 Republicans voted against it, and 7 Democrats voted for it.
Here are the 8 Republicans:
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
French Hill (AR-02)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Here are the 7 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Marc Veasey (TX-33)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
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Jared Huffman (CA-02) offered an amendment to strike Section 127 of the Act, which would delay the finalization and implementation of the proposed rule for air quality control, reporting, and compliance in specific offshore areas of the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic Ocean.
It failed 181 to 244. 7 Democrats voted against it, and 4 Republicans voted for it.
Here are the 7 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Here are the 4 Republicans:
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
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Kathy Castor (FL-14) offered an amendment to strike section 124, which blocks a recent rule from the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement related to drilling margins and static downhole mud weight.
It failed 186 to 237. 10 Republicans voted for it, and 8 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 10 Republicans:
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Richard Nugent (FL-11)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Here are the 8 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Al Green (TX-09)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Clean Water
Don Beyer (VA-08) offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to implement sections 120, 425, 426, and 427, sections of the bill that block recently issued EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act (relating to the definition of “waters of the United States” and “discharge of fill material”). You can read the full text of those sections here.
The amendment failed 178 to 246. 4 Republicans voted for it, and 9 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 4 Republicans:
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Here are the 9 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
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Beyer introduced another amendment to strike lines 4 through 19 on page 67, which prohibit the use of funds for the development, finalization, or implementation of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s recent “stream protection rule.”
It failed 190 to 235. 4 Democrats voted against it, and 10 Republicans voted for it.
Here are the 4 Democrats:
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Here are the 10 Republicans:
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
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Ben Lujan (NM-03) offered an amendment to to reallocate $6 million in the State and Tribal Assistance Grants to direct the EPA to work with the affected States and Indian tribes to implement a long-term monitoring program for water quality of the Animas and San Juan Rivers in response to the Gold King Mine spill.
It passed 219 to 207. 35 Republicans joined Democrats in voting for it.
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Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) offered an amendment to prohibit the EPA from using any funds to take retaliatory, or EPA described "backstop" actions, against any of the six states in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in the event that a state does not meet the goals mandated by the EPA's Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (a pollution “diet,” as the EPA describes it).
It passed 231 to 197. 16 Republicans voted against it, and 4 Democrats voted for it.
Here are the 4 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Here are the 16 Republicans:
Barbara Comstock (VA-10)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Randy Forbes (VA-04)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Andy Harris (MD-01)
David Joyce (OH-14)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Candice Miller (MI-10)
Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Scott Rigell (VA-02)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Robert Wittman (VA-01)
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Parks & Monuments
Jim Himes (CT-04) offered an amendment to fund the New England National Scenic Trail at $300,000 within the Operation of the National Park System.
It failed 183 to 241, with 9 members of each party crossing party lines.
Here are the 9 Democrats:
Elijah Cummings (MD-07)
Suzan DelBene (WA-01)
John Garamendi (CA-03)
Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Betty McCollum (MN-04)
Jim McDermott (WA-07)
Adam Schiff (CA-28)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Pete Visclosky (IN-01)
Here are the 9 Republicans:
Dan Benishek (MI-01)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Charlie Dent (PA-15)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Frank Guinta (NH-01)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
John Katko (NY-24)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
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Raul Grijlava (AZ-03) offered an amendment to strike section 453 of the bill.
Section 453 reads as follows:
Sec. 453. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to make a Presidential declaration by public proclamation of a national monument under chapter 3203 of title 54, United States Code in the counties of Coconino, Maricopa, Mohave and Yavapai in the State of Arizona, in the counties of Modoc and Siskiyou in the State of California, in the counties of Chaffee, Conejos, Dolores, Moffat, Montezuma, and Park in the State of Colorado, in the counties of Carson City, Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Nye, Pershing, Storey and Washoe in the State of Nevada, in the county of Otero in the State of New Mexico, in the counties of Jackson, Josephine and, Malheur in the State of Oregon, in the counties of Beaver, Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Washington, and Wayne in the State of Utah, or in the county of Penobscot in the State of Maine.
It failed 202 to 225. 19 Republicans joined the Democrats in voting for it, and 2 Democrats—Collin Peterson (MN-07) and Kurt Schrader (OR-05)—joined Republicans in voting against it
Here are the 19 Republicans:
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Charlie Dent (PA-15)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Frank Guinta (NH-01)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
John Katko (NY-24)
Pete King (NY-02)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Dave Reichert (WA-08
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Fred Upton (MI-06)
California Drought
Jerry McNerney (CA-09) offered an amendment to strike the sections authorizing the Republicans’ environmentally damaging response to the drought in California (sections 447-452 in the bill, which you can read here).
It failed 181 to 248.
4 Democrats joined the GOP in voting against it:
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02)
Fossil Fuel Royalties
Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) offered an amendment to allow the Interior Department to proceed with updating royalty rates and valuation for federal coal, oil, and gas by striking Section 440.
It failed 183 to 246. 6 Republicans voted for it, and 8 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 6 Republicans:
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
Tom Reed (NY-23)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
Here are the 8 Democrats:
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Al Green (TX-09)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
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Jared Huffman (CA-02) offered an amendment to strike Section 122, which prohibits the use of funds to finalize, implement, or enforce the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed rule regarding Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation published February 8, 2016. You can read more about the rule here.
It failed 184 to 240. 7 Republicans voted for it, and 6 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 7 Republicans:
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Here are the 6 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Al Green (TX-09)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Pesticides
Raujl Grijalva (AZ-03) offered an amendment to strike section 437 of the bill, which blocks the implementation or enforcement of the EPA’s update to the Worker Protection Standard.
As explained by Farmworkers Justice:
The WPS requires agricultural employers to comply with minimum safety precautions when using pesticides on farms, and in nurseries, greenhouses or forests. For example, the WPS requires employers to inform workers about where and when pesticides were sprayed to avoid accidental exposures. Information about each pesticide and application must be posted in an easily accessible central location. The WPS also allows workers to designate a representative to obtain this same information on his/her behalf.
It failed 177 to 249. One Republican—Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)—voted for it, and 8 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 8 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
John Garamendi (CA-03)
Robin Kelly (IL-02)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
Wildlife Protection
Dan Newhouse (WA-04) offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Department of Interior to treat any Gray Wolf in the 48 contiguous states as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act after June 13, 2017.
It passed 223 to 201. 5 Democrats voted for it, and 21 Republicans voted against it.
Here are the 5 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
David Scott (GA-13)
Here are the 21 Republicans:
Mike Bishop (MI-08)
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Charlie Dent (PA-15)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Dan Donovan (NY-11)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
John Katko (NY-24)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Tom MacArthur (NJ-03)
Tom Marino (PA-10)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Luke Messer (IN-06)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Dave Trott (MI-11)
Mike Turner (OH-10)
Ann Wagner (MO-02)
Ed Whitfield (KY-01)
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Doug Lamborn (CO-05) offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to implement or enforce the threatened species listing of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse.
It passed 228 to 199. 16 Republicans voted against it, and 2 Democrats—Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—voted for it.
Here are the 16 Republicans:
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Tom MacArthur (NJ-03)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Ed Whitfield (KY-01)
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Doug Lamborn offered another amendment to prohibit the use of funds to implement or enforce the threatened species or endangered species listing of any plant or wildlife that has not undergone a periodic 5-year review as required by section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
It passed 238 to 190. 10 Republicans voted against it, and 5 Democrats voted for it.
Here are the 5 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Here are the 10 Republicans:
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
John Katko (NY-24)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
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Kathy Castor (FL-14) offered an amendment to match the budget request for Law Enforcement of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
It failed 197 to 225. 16 Republicans voted for it, and 2 Democrats—Jim Costa (CA-16) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—voted against it.
Here are the 16 Republicans:
Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
John Katko (NY-24)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Richard Nugent (FL-11)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
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Don Beyer (VA-08) offered an amendment to prevent funds from being used to block science-based protections for imperiled wildlife that has or may need Endangered Species Act protections.
It failed 193 to 235. 13 Republicans voted for it, and 5 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 13 Republicans:
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Ed Whitfield (KY-01)
Here are the 5 Democrats:
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Ron Kind (WI-03)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Bobby Rush (IL-01)
Loretta Sanchez (CA-46)
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Don Young (AK-AL) offered an amendment to prohibit funds to be used to implement a final plan to designate areas of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as wilderness.
It passed 237 to 191. 6 Democrats voted for it, and 12 Republicans voted against it.
Here are the 6 Democrats:
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Filemon Vela (TX-33)
Here are the 12 Republicans:
Mo Brooks (AL-05)
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ed Royce (CA-39)
Mark Sanford (SC-01)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Lee Zeldin (NY-01)
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Paul Gosar offered an amendment to remove federal protections for the Mexican Wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and prevent the expansion of the species habitat outside of its historic range.
It passed 219 to 203. 4 Democrats voted for it, and 26 Republicans voted against it.
Here are the 4 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Oceans
Patrick Murphy (FL-18) offered an amendment to prohibit use of funds to carry out seismic airgun testing or seismic airgun surveys in the OCS Planning Areas located within the EEZ bordering the State of Florida.
It failed 197 to 231. 24 Republicans voted for it, and 12 Democrats voted against it.
Here are the 12 Democrats:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
John Conyers (MI-13)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Pete DeFazio (OR-04)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Luis Gutierrez (IL-04)
Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09)
Chris Van Hollen (MD-08)
Marc Veasey (TX-33)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
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Bradley Byrne (AL-01) offered an amendment to prohibit funding from being used to implement, administer, or enforce the Obama administration's National Ocean Policy.
It passed 237 to 189. 6 Republicans voted against it, and 1 Democrat—Henry Cuellar (TX-28)—voted for it.
Here are the 6 Republicans:
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
David Jolly (FL-13)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
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Lee Zeldin (NY-01) offered an amendment to prohibit funds from being used to designate a National Marine Monument in the EEZ (“exclusive economic zone”) via presidential proclamation.
It passed 225 to 202.
18 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it:
Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Charlie Dent (PA-15)
Dan Donovan (NY-11)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Richard Hanna (NY-22)
John Katko (NY-24)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Fred Upton (MI-06)
Lead Paint
Matt Cartwright (PA-17) offered an amendment to strike language that would delay implementation of the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. You can read more about the rule here.
It failed 195 to 231. 2 Democrats—Collin Peterson (MN-07) and Kurt Schrader (OR-05)—voted against it, and 13 Republicans voted for it.
Here are the 13 Republicans:
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Walter Jones (NC-03)
John Katko (NY-24)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Candice Miller (MI-10)
Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Fred Upton (MI-06)
Surveying & Mapping Drones
Scott Perry offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to develop, administer, purchase, acquire, or operate an unmanned aircraft system owned by the Department of Interior or the Environmental Protection Agency to perform surveying, mapping, or collecting remote sensing data.
It failed 161 to 262. 79 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.
Litigation
Jason Smith (MO-08) offered an amendment to restrict federal agencies from using funds to pay legal fees under any lawsuit settlement regarding a case that arises under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
It passed 226 to 202. One Democrat—Collin Peterson (MN-07)—voted for it, and 18 Republicans voted against it.
Here are the 18:
Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
David Jolly (FL-13)
Adam Kinzinger (IL-16)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
Tom MacArthur (NJ-03)
Pat Meehan (PA-07)
Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Tom Reed (NY-23)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Mike Simpson (ID-02)
Chris Smith (NJ-04)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
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Gary Palmer (AL-06) offered an amendment to ensure that none of the funds made available by this Act may be used for the Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Enforcement Division.
It failed 195 to 223. One Democrat—Paul Tonko (NY-20)—voted for it, and 46 Republicans voted against it.
Budget
Scott Perry offered an amendment to reduce Appropriations made in this Act for the Environmental Protection Agency by 17 percent.
It failed 188 to 239. Two Democrats—John Conyers (MI-13) and Collin Peterson (MN-07)—voted for it, and 56 Republicans voted against it.
I found Conyers’s vote here confusing and would be interested in what constituents hear if they call his office.
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Marsha Blackburn (TN-07) offered an amendment to impose a 1 percent across-the-board spending cut to the bill.
It failed 171 to 258. Two Democrats—Jim Cooper (TN-05) and Bobby Rush (IL-01)—voted for it, and 75 Republicans voted against it.
Labor
Steve King (IA-04) offered an amendment to ensure that no funds appropriated by this Act can be used to implement, administer, or enforce Davis-Bacon prevailing rate wage requirements.
It failed 188 to 238. 54 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.
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Keith Ellison (MN-05) offered an amendment to reprogram already appropriated funds to create an Office of Good Jobs for the Department of Interior.
It failed 173 to 251. 10 Democrats joined Republicans in voting against it.
Here are the 10 Democrats:
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Bill Foster (IL-11)
John Garamendi (CA-03)
Jim Himes (CT-04)
Scott Peters (CA-52)
Collin Peterson (MN-07)
Kathleen Rice (NY-04)
Jared Polis (CO-02)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)