What follows is the next in a series of diaries which will provide a year-by-year record of John Kerry's voting record in the US Senate, which has been summarized and excerpted from
Project Vote Smart - Key Votes listing for Senator Kerry. This entry covers Sen. Kerry's voting record for the year,
1995.
Other Year's entries:
1988,
1989,
1990,
1991,
1992,
1993,
1994,
1995,
1996,
1997,
1998,
1999,
2000,
2001,
2002
2003,
2004.
Summary for 1995Category: Transportation Issues
- Mandatory Seat Belt & Helmet Laws
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to not penalize states without mandatory helmet and seatbelt laws.
S 440: National Highway System Designation Act
Amendment to eliminate the penalties on states who have not adopted laws requiring motorcycle helmet and automobile safety belt usage.
Amendment introduced by Smith, R-NH.
(Failed 45-52 on 6/20/95)
- Mandatory Open Container Laws
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to penalize states without open container laws.
S 440: National Highway System Designation Act
Amendment to require the transfer of a percentage of Federal highway funds to a state highway safety program if the state fails to prohibit open containers of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of motor vehicles.
Amendment introduce by Dorgan, D-ND.
(Rejected 48-52 on 6/21/95)
- National Speed Limits
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Table amendment to keep national speed limits.
S 440: National Highway System Designation Act
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment to retain the current national speed limits, rather than allow states to set their own speed limits as the bill provides, but remove the current penalty for states who do not enforce those limits.
Nickles, R-OK, motion to table Lautenberg, D-NJ, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 65-35 on 6/20/95)
- Commercial Vehicle Speed Limits
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to keep national speed limits for trucks.
S 440: National Highway System Designation Act
Amendment to retain the current national maximum speed limits for commercial trucks only. [The bill repeals the national speed limits for all vehicles, and allows states to set their own limits.]
Amendment introduced by Reid, D-NV.
(Amendment passed 51-49 on 6/20/95)
- Mandatory Helmet Laws
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to not penalize states without mandatory helmet laws.
S 440: National Highway System Designation Act
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment to eliminate the penalties on states who have not adopted laws requiring motorcycle helmet usage.
Chafee, R-RI, motion to table Snowe, R-ME, amendment.
(Tabling motion failed 36-64 on 6/21/95)
Category: Trade Issues
- Trade Sanctions on Japan
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Resolution supporting sanctions on Japanese products if car parts markets don't open up.
S Res 118: U.S. - Japan Trade Negotiations
Vote on a sense of the Senate resolution regretting the collapse of negotiations between the U.S. and Japan for sharp reductions in the trade imbalances in car sales and parts through elimination of restrictive Japanese market-closing practices, and strongly supporting the President's decision to impose sanctions on Japanese products under the authority of Section 301 if car parts markets do not open up.
(Resolution adopted 88-8 on 5/9/95)
Category: Foreign Aid and Policy Issues
- Ground Forces in Bosnia
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on resolution to restrict use of ground forces in Bosnia.
HR 2076: Fiscal 1996 Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations
Vote on a Sense of the Senate resolution that no funds appropriated under the bill should be used for ground forces deployment in Bosnia without advance Congressional approval, or in the case of an emergency.
Amendment introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Passed 94-2 on 9/29/95))
- Strengthen Cuba Embargo - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to strenthen the U.S. embargo against Cuba.
HR 927: The Cuban Liberty and Solidarity Act
Vote to pass a bill to strengthen the U.S. embargo against Cuba, seek international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba and to plan for support of a transition leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba.
(Passed 74-24 on 10/19/95))
- U.S. Troops in Bosnia - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass bill to require specific Congressional funding for ground deployment in Bosnia.
HR 2606: Bosnia Troop Deployment
Vote to pass a bill to prohibit the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of any peacekeeping operation or implementation force, unless funds for such deployment have been specifically appropriated by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
(Bill rejected 22-77 on 12/13/95)
- Bosnian Arms Embargo - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass bill to lift U.S. participation in Bosnian arms embargo, under certain conditions.
S 21: Arms Embargo against Bosnia
Vote to pass a bill to end United States participation in the United Nations' arms embargo against Bosnia after United Nations troops are withdrawn, or 12 weeks from the date of a request by the government of Bosnia for UN forces to withdraw.
(Passed 69-29 on 7/26/95))
- Conditional Support for Bosnia Deployment - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass joint resolution giving the president conditional support for Bosnian ground deployment.
S Joint Res 44: Bosnia Troop Deployment
Vote on a joint resolution to support the U.S. Armed Forces in Bosnia. The resolution gives the president the authority to deploy American troops for one year to implement the military provisions of the peace agreement, and requires the U.S. to lead an international effort to provide equipment, training and other assistance to ensure that Bosnia-Herzegovina can provide for its own defense. The resolution also requires the President to submit regular reports on the status of the military and non-military aspects of implementation of the peace process.
(Joint Resolution passed 69-30 on 12/13/95)
Category: Budget Spending and Taxes
- Fiscal 1995 Spending Cuts - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to cut $16 billion in 1995 spending and fund disaster assistance.
HR 1158: Fiscal 1995 Supplemental Appropriations & Rescissions
Vote on passage of a bill to cut $16 billion of previously-approved spending for fiscal year 1995, applying the savings to deficit reduction, and making emergency appropriations of $6.7 billion for disaster assistance in 1995-96. The bill restored about $835 million in funds cut from a number of programs in the House version of the bill, including national service and child nutrition.
(Passed 99-0 on 4/6/95))
- Targeted Tax Breaks
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment limiting definition of targeted tax breaks that the President could veto.
S 4: Line-Item Veto
Vote to table an amendment to define the term 'targeted tax benefits' which could be vetoed by the president under the line-item bill to mean any provision which has the practical effect of providing a benefit in the form of a different treatment to a particular taxpayer or limited class of taxpayers, but not define the term to include a taxpayer or group of taxpayers defined on the basis of general demographic considerations such as income or marital status.
McCain, R-AZ, motion to table Bradley, D-NJ, amendment.
(Tabling Motion passed 50-48 on 3/22/95)
- Budget Resolution - Democratic Alternate
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Allow consideration of amendment to use reserve fund to restore funds cut from social programs instead of possible future tax.
S Con Res 13: Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution
Vote on a procedural motion to allow consideration of an amendment to take the $170 million reserve fund established in the bill for possible future tax cuts and use the funds to restore some funding to Medicare, education, agriculture, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other programs.
Introduced by Exon, D-NE.
(Procedural motion failed 47-53 on 5/23/95)
- Prevent Court Enforcement
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to keep balanced budget amendment from being enforced by federal courts.
H Joint Res 1: Balanced Budget Amendment
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to prevent the balanced-budget amendment from being enforced by means of federal courts, rather than Congress, ordering spending cuts or raising taxes.
Dole, R-KS, motion to table Johnston, D-LA, amendment.
(Tabling passed 52-47 on 2/15/95)
- Savings to Deficit Reduction
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to require that savings from spending cuts go only to deficit reduction.
S 4: Line-Item Veto
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to require that any money saved through lowering discretionary spending limits go towards deficit reduction and not to offset an increase in spending or a reduction in revenues, and that this requirement could only be waived by a 3/5th vote on a point of order.
McCain, R-AZ, motion to table Byrd, D-WV, amendment.
(Tabled 49-48 on 3/23/95)
- Additional Tax Reduction
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Amendment to add more spending cuts and tax cuts to 1996 budget resolution.
S Con Res 13: Budget Resolution - Amendment
Vote on an amendment to the Budget Resolution to reduce non-defense spending by an additional $142 billion over 7 years. The amendment would also implement tax cuts over 7 years, including a $500 per child tax credit, a capital gains tax rate cut, a marriage penalty phase-out, tax breaks for small businesses, and other tax reduction measures similar to the tax reduction included in the House version of the Budget Resolution.
Amendment introduced by Gramm, R-TX.
(Amendment rejected 31-69 on 5/23/95)
- Earned Income Tax Credit
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Allow consideration of amendment to use reserve fund for earned income tax credit instead of possible future tax cut.
S Con Res 13: Budget Resolution
Vote on a procedural motion to allow consideration of an amendment to take funds from the reserve fund established in the 1996 Budget Resolution for possible future tax cuts, and use it to restore the current level of funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Motion to waive the Budget Act introduced by Exon, D-NE.
(The procedural motion failed 47-53 on 5/23/95)
- Balanced Budget Amendment - Passage *
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Resolution proposing balanced budget Constitutional amendment.
H Joint Res 1: Balanced Budget Amendment
Pass a resolution to propose a balanced budget Constitutional amendment. The amendment would require a 3/5th vote of the House and Senate to approve an increase in the public debt limit or to approve deficit spending.
(Rejected 65-35 on 3/2/95; a 2/3 vote is required on Constitutional amendments))
- Fiscal 1996 Budget Reconciliation - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass 1996 budget reconciliation bill.
HR 2491: Fiscal 1996 Budget Reconciliation
Pass bill to balance the budget by 2002 by reducing spending by $900 billion, including reductions in Medicare, Medicaid, welfare and other spending. The bill also reduces taxes by $245 billion, mainly through a $500-per child tax credit.
(Passed 52-47 on 10/27/95))
- Fiscal 1995 Spending Cuts - Final Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Final passage of bill to reduce 1995 spending and fund disaster assistance.
HR 1158: Fiscal 1995 Supplemental Appropriations & Rescissions
Adoption of the conference report [final passage] of a bill to cut previously-approved spending for fiscal year 1995, and institute $7.3 billion in new spending, including $6.7 billion for disaster assistance funding. The bill would cut $16.4 billion from low income housing assistance, education, National Service, and other government programs and agencies.
(Conference report adopted 61-38 on 5/25/95)
- Balanced Budget Assumptions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on resolution to call for a balanced budget in seven years, based on Congressional Budget Office numbers.
H Joint Res 132: Balanced Budget Assumptions
Vote on a resolution affirming that budget negotiations between the President and Congress shall use the technical and economic assumptions of the Congressional Budget Office, and that a balanced budget should be achieved in seven years (by 2002), based on those assumptions. The resolution also requires that the balanced budget must protect future generations, ensure Medicare solvency, reform welfare, and provide adequate funding for Medicaid, education, agriculture, national defense, veterans and the environment.
(Resolution adopted 94-0 on 12/21/95)
- Fiscal 1995 Rescissions/Supplemental Appropriations
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Final passage of bill to reduce 1995 spending and fund disaster assistance.
HR 1158: Fiscal 1995 Supplemental Appropriations & Rescissions
Adoption of the conference report [final passage] of a bill to cut previously-approved spending for fiscal year 1995, and institute $7.3 billion in new spending, including $6.7 billion for disaster assistance funding. The bill would cut $16.4 billion from low income housing assistance, education, National Service, and other government programs and agencies.
(Conference report adopted 61-38 on 5/25/95)
- Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution - Adoption
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Adopt 1996 budget resolution.
H Con Res 67: Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution
Adopt a resolution to adopt a budget outline that would balance the budget by 2002, decreasing spending by $961 billion over 7 years, and setting spending guidelines for fiscal 1996. Over 7 years, the resolution would decrease funding of Medicare by $256 billion; reduce Medicaid spending by $175 billion; reduce welfare spending by $80 billion; increase defense spending by $25 billion and reduce other government spending. The bill reserves $170 billion for future tax cuts, but only if the Congressional Budget Office certifies that the budget will be balanced and the money would available from savings on government bond interest payments.
(Resolution adopted 57-42 on 5/25/95)
- Tax Cuts & the Deficit
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table 'sense of the Senate' amendment that an across-the-board tax cut would hurt deficit reduction efforts.
S 4: Line-Item Veto
Vote on the motion to table, or kill, an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that reducing the Federal deficit should be one of the nation's highest priorities, and that enacting an across-the-board tax cut would hinder efforts to reduce the deficit.
Coats, R-IN, motion to table Feingold, D-WI, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 54-44 on 3/22/95)
- Reserve Fund for Future Tax Cuts
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to take future tax cut reserve fund out of the bill.
S Con Res 13: Budget Resolution - Amendment
Vote on an amendment to take out language in the Budget Resolution that creates a $170 billion reserve fund to pay for possible future tax cuts.
Amendment introduced by Feingold, D-WI.
(Amendment rejected 44-55 on 5/24/95)
- Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution - Final Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Final passage of 1996 budget resolution.
H Con Res 67: Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution
Final passage of a resolution to adopt a budget outline that would balance the budget by 2002, decreasing spending by $894 billion over seven years, and setting spending guidelines for fiscal 1996. Over seven years, the resolution would decrease Medicare and Medicaid funding by $450 billion, cut discretionary spending by $190 billion, and increase military spending by $34 billion among other provisions. The bill also includes $245 billion in tax cuts [including a $500/child tax credit & capital gains tax reductions] that can only be implemented if the Congressional Budget Office certifies that the budget will be balanced.
(Resolution adopted 54-46 on 6/29/95)
- Balanced Budget Amendment - Supermajority
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to require majority, not supermajority, vote to approve deficit spending.
H Joint Res 1: Balanced Budget Amendment
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to require only a majority vote, not a 3/5ths supermajority vote, in order to approve deficit spending.
Hatch, R-UT, motion to table Byrd, D-WV, amendment.
(Tabling passed 69-31 on 2/28/95)
- Review Tax Preferences
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table motion to require additional review of tax breaks and subsidies.
H Joint Res 1: Balanced Budget Amendment
Vote to table, or kill, a motion to send the bill back to committee to have language added to require that tax preferences and tax subsidies should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny in deficit reduction as direct spending.
Hatch, R-UT, motion to table Wellstone, D-MN, motion.
(Tabling passed 59-40 on 2/15/95)
Category: Environmental Issues
- Red Wolf Reintroduction
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Table amendment to stop Red Wolf Reintroduction program.
HR 1977: 1996 Interior Appropriations
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to prohibit the use of $968,000 in funds for the Red Wolf reintroduction program.
Reid, D-NV, motion to table Helms, R-NC, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 50-48 on 8/9/95)
- Timber Harvesting
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to require that timber salvage under the bill comply with environmental rules.
HR 1158: Fiscal 1995 Supplemental Appropriations & Rescissions
Vote on motion to table, or kill, an amendment that would replace timber salvaging language in HR 1158 with language requiring environmental consultation compliance, and also requiring that government agencies act expeditiously doing those reviews. The bill restricts salvage operations to areas outside of congressionally designated areas such as wilderness and roadless areas among other provisions.
Gorton, R-WA motion to table, D-WA, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 48-46 on 3/30/95)
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to prohibit oil and gas leasing in the ANWR.
S Con Res 13: Budget Resolution - Amendment
Vote on a motion to table an amendment to prohibit increasing revenues in the Budget Resolution based on allowing oil and gas leasing within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Roth, R-DE, amendment.
(Amendment tabled 56-44 on 5/24/95)
- Endangered Species Act
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Table amendment to cut 1995 endangered species listing funding.
HR 889:
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to cut any fiscal 1995 funding for listings of species as threatened or endangered or for designation of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act.
Baucus, D-MT, motion to table Hutchison, R-TX, amendment.
(Tabling motion rejected 38-60 on 3/16/95)
- Interstate Waste Transportation - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to let states limit interstate transportation of municiple solid waste.
S 534:
Pass a bill to provide authority for states to limit the interstate transportation [flow control] of municipal solid waste.
(Passed 94-6 on 5/16/95))
- Mining Law Revisions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Table amendment to delete continuation of moratorium on mining patent claims on federal land.
HR 1977: Fiscal 1996 Interior Appropriations
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment that would take out language in the bill that continued a moratorium on allowing mineral companies prospecting on federal lands to buy the mineral rights at low cost
[mining patents].
Bumpers, D-AR, motion to table Senate Appropriations Committee amendment.
(The tabling motion failed 46-51 on 8/8/95)
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to delete language opening up the ANWR to oil exploration.
S 1357: 1996 Budget Reconciliation
Vote on a motion to table an amendment that would take out language in the bill opening up part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Baucus, D-MT, amendment.
(Tabling motion agreed to 51-48 on 10/27/95)
Category: Education
- Restoring Education Funds
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Allow consideration of amendment to add back $40 billion for education and training.
S Con Res 13: Budget Resolution
Vote on a procedural motion to allow consideration of an amendment to restore $40 billion of funds for education and training programs cut in the proposed budget, through 2002.
Motion introduced by Exon, D-NE.
(The procedural motion failed 47-51 on 5/22/95)
- National Service Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to restore funding for the national service program.
HR 2099: Fiscal 1996 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations
Amendment to restore $425 million in funding for the National Service program, to be paid for by reducing funds for assisted housing.
Amendment introduced by Mikulski, D-MD.
(Rejected 47-52 on 9/26/95)
Category: Appropriations
- Market Promotion Subsidies
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to eliminate funding for the Market Promotion program.
HR 1158: Fiscal 1995 Supplemental Appropriations & Rescissions
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to eliminate funding [$85 million] for the Market Promotion Program. The program provides funds to trade associations and corporations for advertising American agricultural products overseas.
Cochran, R-MS, motion to table Bumpers, D-AR, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 61-37 on 4/6/95)
- Adopt conference report for 1996 VA-HUD appropriations.
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Adopt conference report for 1996 VA-HUD appropriations.
HR 2099: Fiscal 1996 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations
Adoption of the conference report on the bill to make $80 billion in appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD, and independent agencies. The bill includes provisions to reduce Environmental Protection Agency funds; end the national service AmeriCorps program; and establish demonstration block grants and other programs for multifamily housing.
(Conference report adopted 54-44 on 12/14/95)
- 1995 spending cuts and disaster assistance.
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill that includes 1995 spending cuts and disaster assistance.
HR 1944: Fiscal 1995 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions
Vote to pass a bill to cut $16.3 billion of previously-approved spending for fiscal year 1995, and spend $7.2 billion for disaster assistance funding. The bill is a replacement for HR 1158, an earlier spending cuts bill vetoed by President Clinton in June. This bill cuts $800 million less than the previous version.
(Passed 90-7 on 7/21/95))
- National African American Museum
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to authorize funds for a National African American Museum.
HR 1977: 1996 Interior Appropriations
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to authorize funds for the establishment of a National African American Museum within the Smithsonian Institution.
Stevens, R-AK, motion to table Simon, D-IL, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 50-47 on 8/9/95)
- 1996 defense-related spending
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass bill authorizing 1996 defense-related spending.
HR 1530: Fiscal 1996 Defense Authorization
Vote to pass a bill to authorize $265.3 billion in appropriations for 1996 for military activities of the Department of Defense, military construction, and Department of Energy defense activities. The bill requires that the U.S. develop an affordable and effective national missile defense system, to be operational by 2003, among other provisions.
(Bill passed 64-34 on 9/6/95)
- fund Interior Department for FY 1996
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Adopt conference report on bill to fund Interior Department for FY 1996.
HR 1977: 1996 Interior Appropriations
Vote to adopt the conference report on the bill to appropriate funds for the Department of the Interior for fiscal year 1996. The conference report includes provisions to retain the ban on off-shore oil and gas leasing, and retain the ban on processing applications by mining companies to buy the rights to federal lands [mining patents], among other provisions.
(Conference report adopted 58-40 on 12/14/95) [vetoed on 12/18/95]
- 1996 spending for the State Department
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to authorize 1996 spending for the State Department.
HR 1561: 1996 State Department Authorization and Reorganization
Vote on a bill to authorize appropriations for the Department of State and related agencies for 1996. The bill requires the President to submit a reorganization plan within six months that would achieve $1.7 billion in savings over five years through the streamlining, consolidation and merger of the functions of agencies covering affairs.
(Bill passed 82-16 on 12/14/95)
Category: Technology and Communication
- Broadcast Ownership Limits
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to keep current TV station ownership limits.
S 652: Telecommunications-Communications Deregulation Act
Amendment to eliminate provisions in the telecommunications bill that abolish current ownership limitations on television stations that limit television ownership to 12 stations and less than 25% of the national audience. The bill would allow unlimited ownership of televisions, as long as they did not reach more than 35% of the national audience. This was a re-vote; the amendment originally passed.
Original amendment introduced by Dorgan, D-ND.
(Amendment rejected 47-52 on 6/13/95)
- Basic Cable Channels
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Table amendment to stop basic service channel reductions without approval.
S 652: Telecommunications-Communications Deregulation Act
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment to require that cable operators may not take out channels that are part of their basic service as of January 1, 1995, unless they get approval from the local franchising authority. This requirement expires after three years.
Pressler, R-SD, motion to table Boxer, D-CA, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 60-38 on 6/14/95)
- Telecommunications Bill - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to deregulate telecommunications industry.
S 652: Telecommunications-Communications Deregulation Act
Passage of a bill to deregulate the communications industry and allow competition between local telephone, long distance, and cable television companies. The bill also increases the number of stations one person/company can own; deregulates most cable service prices; and establishes penalties for persons who use telecommunication devices to harass or make obscene communications, among other provisions.
(Passed 81-18 on 6/15/95))
- Terminate Space Station
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to terminate the space station.
HR 2099: Fiscal 1996 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations
Vote on an amendment to terminate the space station program.
Amendment introduced by Bumpers, D-AR.
(Rejected 35-64 on 9/26/95))
- Consumer Representation
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to require a consumer representative on telephone access board.
S 652: Telecommunications-Communications Deregulation Act
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment to require an additional member of the Federal-State Board on Universal Service, who would be an appointed utility consumer advocate of a State who is nominated by a national organization of state utility consumer advocates. The Board will make recommendations about ensuring universal telephone access.
Pressler, R-SD, motion to table Kerrey, D-NE, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 55-45 on 6/14/95)
- Blocking Violent Programming
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to require TV program violence ratings and a 'choice chip'.
S 652: Telecommunications-Communications Deregulation Act
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment to limit the exposure of children to violent programming on television by mandating a system of rating the level of violence and other objectionable content of programs, and requiring that television sets include equipment [a 'choice chip'] that enables certain programs to be blocked.
Pressler, R-SD, motion to table Conrad, D-ND, amendment.
(Tabling motion failed 26-73 on 6/13/95; the amendment was later adopted by voice vote)
- Electronic Obscenity
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass telecommunications decency amendment against electronic obscenity.
S 652: Telecommunications-Communications Deregulation Act
Substitute amendment [The Exon Amendment] to institute a $100,000 fine &/or up to two years in prison penalty on people who knowingly use telecommunications devices [i.e. telephones or electronic communication via computers] to harass or make obscene communications towards others, or who knowingly use telecommunications devices to make obscene or indecent communications to people under 18 years of age.
Substitute amendment introduced by Exon, D-NE.
(Passed 84-16 on 6/14/95)
Category: Labor
- Striker Replacement
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Motion to bring striker replacement amendment to a vote.
HR 889: Fiscal 1995 Defense Supplemental Appropriations
Vote on a cloture motion to end debate and bring to a vote [thus ending a filibuster] an amendment that would prevent any federal funds from being used to enforce an Executive Order prohibiting federal contractors from hiring permanent replacements for striking workers.
Motion to invoke cloture on Kassebaum, R-KS, amendment.
(Cloture motion defeated 58-39 on 3/15/95; 3/5th vote required)
- Minimum Wage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment that calls on the Senate to vote on the minimum wage & welfare reform.
S 908: State Department Authorization
Vote on a motion to table an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that the Senate should debate and vote on whether to raise the minimum wage and on welfare reform before the end of the first session of the 104th Congress.
Kassebaum, R-KS, motion to table Kennedy, D-MA, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 49-48 on 7/31/95)
- Federal Job Training - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to consolidate federal workforce training programs.
HR 1617: Workforce Training Program Consolidation
Vote on a bill to consolidate federal employment training, vocational education and adult education programs into a block grant that would be administered by the states.
(Passed 95-2 on 10/11/95)
Category: Congressional Affairs
- Senate Press Gallery Disclosure
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
'Sense of the Senate' amendment that Senate press galley members should disclose earned income.
HR 1854: Fiscal 1996 Legislative Branch Appropriations
Vote on an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that the Senate should consider a resolution requiring each accredited member of the Senate Press Galley to file an annual report with the Secretary of the Senate disclosing his or her primary employer and any additional sources and amounts of earned outside income.
Amendment introduced by Byrd, D-WV.
(Passed 60-39 on 7/20/95))
- Congressional Gift Ban
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to ban Senators and Senate employees from accepting lobbyist gifts.
S 2: The Congressional Accountability Act
Vote on a motion to table an amendment that would no longer allow members or employees of the Senate to accept gifts from registered lobbyists.
Dole, R-KS, motion to table Levin, D-MI, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 52-39 on 1/5/95)
- Pay Reductions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to reduce congressional salaries proportional to any across-the-board spending cuts.
S 2: The Congressional Accountability Act
Vote on a motion to table an amendment to reduce the salaries of members of Congress by the same percentage as other spending is reduced if Congress fails to meet spending limit or budget deficit reduction targets and has to cut government spending across-the-board.
Grassley, R-IA, motion to table Lautenberg, D-NJ, amendment.
(Tabling motion adopted 61-38 on 1/11/95)
- Lobbying Expenses
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
'Sense of the Senate' amendment that lobbying expenses should not be tax-deductible.
S 1060: Lobbying Disclosure Act
Vote on an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that lobbying expenses should not be tax-deductible. [A sense of the Senate resolution is non-binding.]
Amendment introduced by Lautenberg, D-NJ.
(Passed 72-26 on 7/25/95))
- Limit Use of Filibuster
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to limit use of filibuster.
S Res 14:
Vote on the motion to table the amendment to change the rules of the Senate to make it easier to end a filibuster by allowing cloture to be invoked by a decreasing number of Senators. Currently 60 votes are needed to invoke cloture [which cuts off debate, ending a filibuster] but the amendment would gradually decrease that over successive cloture attempts to 51 votes.
Cochran, R-MS, motion to table Harkin, D-IA, amendment.
(Tabling motion adopted 76-19 on 1/5/95)
- Lobbyist Contribution Limits
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to limit lobbyists from contributing to members they have recently lobbied.
S 2: The Congressional Accountability Act
Vote on a motion to table an amendment that would ban lobbyists from contributing or soliciting contributions to the campaigns of members whom they have lobbied for 12 months after the contact, and ban lobbyists from lobbying any member whom they have contributed to during the 12 months after that contribution. The amendment would also apply to lobbyists lobbying certain Executive Branch officials, barring them from making contributions to any Presidential election committee during the same periods.
Grassley, R-IA, motion to table Wellstone, D-MN, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 74-17 on 1/6/95)
- Lobbying Disclosure - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to require lobbyists to register and report their activity.
S 1060: Lobbying Disclosure Act
Vote to pass a bill to provide for the disclosure of lobbying activities by requiring lobbying firms or people who are employed on behalf of a client and spend more than 20% of their time over a six month period lobbying Congress or certain executive branch officials to register within 45 days of the first lobbying contact, and make periodic reports of their lobbying activities.
(Passed 98-0 on 7/25/95))
- Flag Desecration - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass resolution proposing Constitutional Amendment against flag desecration.
S Joint Res 31: Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment
Vote on a resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the physical desecration of the flag of the U.S.
(Resolution failed 63-36 on 12/12/95; 2/3rds vote required)
- Term Limits
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Table a resolution that the Senate should pass a term limit constitutional amendment.
HR 927: Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act
Vote on a motion to table a Sense of the Senate resolution that the Senate should pass a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment limiting the number of terms members of Congress can serve.
Ashcroft, R-MO, motion to table, Ashcroft, R-MO, amendment.
(Tabling motion agreed to 49-45 on 10/17/95)
- Gift Reform - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to limit gifts to Senators and require reporting.
S Res 158: Senate gift reform
Vote to pass a bill to change the rules for members or employees of the Senate to allow them to accept only a gift with a value of less than $50, and a limit the value of gifts from one source to $100 yearly. Gifts of less than $10 value do not count towards the limit. The bill applies to only gifts given because of the official position of the member or employee of the Senate.
(Passed 98-0 on 7/28/95))
- Congressional Compliance - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to apply labor and safety laws to Congress.
S 2: The Congressional Accountability Act
Passage of the bill to apply provisions of a number of laws to the legislative branch. Those laws include the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; The Family and Medical Leave Act; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, among others.
(Passed 98-1 on 1/11/95)
Category: Abortion Issues
- Federal Workers Abortion Coverage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Amendment to stop federal health insurance policies from covering abortions except in certain cases.
HR 2020: Treasury-Postal Service Appropriations
Vote on an amendment to not allow coverage of abortion under Federal employees health insurance policies except where the life of the mother would be endangered or in cases of rape or incest.
Amendment introduced by Nickles, R-OK.
(Amendment adopted 50-44 on 8/5/95)
- Partial-Birth Abortion Ban - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass bill to ban the partial-birth abortion procedure.
HR 1833: The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act
Vote to pass a bill to ban the partial-birth abortion procedure, except when the life of the woman is in danger.
(Passed 54-44 on 12/7/95)
Category: Defense
- Space-Based Laser Development
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to cut funds for space-based laser program support.
S 1087: 1996 Department of Defense Appropriations
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to delete $70 million in funds appropriated for support technologies and advanced follow-on technological development for the Space-Based Laser program.
Stevens, R-AK, motion to table Harkin, D-IA, amendment.
(Amendment tabled 57-41 on 8/10/95)
- Missile Defense
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to delete making a multiple-site national missile defense policy.
S 1026: 1996 Defense Authorization
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to strike language in the bill that makes it U.S. policy to deploy a multiple-site national missile defense; expresses the sense of the Congress that the president should not try to change the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty until after a congressional review; and sets standards for assessing compliance with the ABM treaty.
Thurmond, R-SC, motion to table Levin, D-MI, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 51-49 on 8/3/95)
- Arms Sales Loan Guarantees
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to take out program for loan guarantees for military equipment and weapons exports.
S 1026: 1996 Defense Authorization
Vote on an amendment to strike the provisions in the bill that create a Defense Export Loan Guarantee program through the Department of Defense to provide loan guarantees for countries meeting certain eligibility requirements to buy military equipment and arms manufactured in the U.S.
Amendment introduced by Bumpers, D-AR.
(Rejected 41-58 on 8/3/95))
- Limit Use of Landmines
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to limit use of land mines in three years.
S 1026: 1996 Defense Authorization
Vote on an amendment to implement in 3 years a one year ban on use of landmines by the U.S. except along national borders or in demilitarized zones; express the sense of Congress that the U.S. should not export sell or transfer defense materials or services to any foreign country that sells, transfers or exports antipersonnel landmines; and express the sense of Congress that the that the president should actively support proposals to implement the U.N. goal of eventually eliminating antipersonnel landmine.
Amendment introduced by Leahy, D-VT.
(Amendment adopted 67-27 on 8/4/95)
- Hydronuclear Testing
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to delete low-level hydronuclear testing funding.
S 1026: 1996 Defense Authorization
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to delete the $50 million the bill provides to fund low-level hydronuclear testing.
Thurmond, R-SC, motion to table Exon, D-NE, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 56-44 on 8/4/95)
Category: Senior and Social Security Issues
- Federal Retirement Benefits
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to keep current federal retirement funding formulas.
S Con Res 13: Budget Resolution - Amendment
Vote on an amendment to restore the cuts to Federal retirement programs by providing that Federal retirement programs will continue to calculate retirement benefits from the average of an employee's high 3 years of service, and pay for the associated costs by closing the tax loophole enabling billionaires to avoid taxes by renouncing their citizenship.
Amendment introduced by Sarbanes, D-MD.
(Amendment rejected 50-50 on 5/24/95)
- Social Security Earnings Test
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to eliminate the Social Security earnings test.
S Con Res 13: Budget Resolution - Amendment
Vote on an amendment to eliminate the Social Security earnings penalty imposed on low and middle income seniors receiving Social Security, and pay for the associated costs by closing the tax loophole enabling billionaires to avoid taxes by renouncing their citizenship.
Amendment introduced by McCain, R-AZ.
(Amendment passed 97-3 on 5/24/95)
- Balanced Budget - Exclude Social Security
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table 'Sense of Senate' amendment that a balanced budget amendment should exclude Social Security from balance calculations.
S 1: The Unfunded Mandate Reform Act
Vote on a motion to table an amendment to a previous amendment, expressing the sense of the Senate that a balanced budget amendment shall specifically exclude Social Security from the calculations used to determine if the Federal budget is in balance. A 'sense of the Senate' statement is non-binding.
Craig, R-ID, motion to table Harkin, D-IA, amendment.
(The tabling motion passed 62-38 on 1/26/95)
- Nursing Home Standards
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to retain current federal nursing home regulations.
S 1357: 1996 Budget Reconciliation
Vote on an amendment to retain Federal regulations on nursing homes.
Amendment introduced by Pryor, D-AR.
(Agreed to 51-48 on 10/27/95)
- Balanced Budget Amendment - Social Security
(Complete Information)
John Kerry did not vote.
Table amendment to keep Social Security outside of balanced budget amendment requirements.
H Joint Res 1: Balanced Budget Amendment
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to keep Social Security outside of balanced budget requirements.
Hatch, R-UT, motion to table Feinstein, D-CA, amendment.
(Tabling passed 60-39 on 2/28/95)
- Balanced Budget - Social Security Reductions and Taxes
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
'Sense of Senate' amendment that any balanced budget amendment should not include Social Security reductions or Social Security tax increases.
S 1: The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Vote on an amendment to another amendment, expressing the sense of the Senate that any legislation required to implement a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution shall specifically prevent Social Security benefits from being reduced or Social Security taxes from being increased to meet the balanced budget requirement. A 'sense of the Senate' statement is non-binding.
Kempthorne, R-ID, amendment to Harkin, D-IA, amendment.
(Passed 83-16 on 1/26/95))
- Fair Housing Act Amendments - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to make it easier to have senior communities.
HR 660: The Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995
Pass bill to amend the Fair Housing Act with regard to the definition of housing for older persons. The bill defines '55-and-over' communities as those where at least 80% of occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years or older. The bill also deletes previous rules that require particular services to be offered in '55-and-over' communities in order to qualify for exemptions from Fair Housing Act rules regarding family status discrimination.
(Bill passed 94-3 on 12/6/95)
Category: Executive Branch
- Bring Foster Nomination to a Vote
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to bring nomination of Henry Foster to be Surgeon General to a vote.
Surgeon General - Confirmation
Motion to invoke cloture (limit debate and bring to a vote) on the confirmation of President Clinton's nomination of Dr. Henry Foster to be US Surgeon General. This was the second cloture attempt.
(Cloture motion rejected 57-43 on 6/22/95; 3/5th vote required)
- Line Item Veto - Passage *
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to allow President to veto specific spending or tax breaks.
S 4: Line-Item Veto
Pass a bill to require that all new direct spending items or new targeted tax benefit items be listed individually as separate bills. This provision could be waived by a 3/5th vote. Any individual spending or targeted tax item could be vetoed by the president, unless the veto is overridden by a 2/3rds vote in both houses. The bill also prohibits the inclusion of nonemergency spending in emergency spending bills, and requires that money saved by cutting previously approved spending go to deficit reduction. The bill also requires that certain types of tax exemptions be subject to periodic review, and end after 10 years.
(Passed 69-29 on 3/23/95))
- Whitewater Subpoena - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Adopt resolution to call for a subpoena of William Kennedy regarding Whitewater.
S Res 199: Subpoena and Orders Enforcement
Vote on a resolution directing the Senate Legal Counsel to bring a civil action against William Kennedy, a former associate counsel in the White House, to enforce a subpoena and orders of the Special Committee to Investigate the Whitewater Development Corporation and Related Matters. The Special Committee had requested his notes from a meeting on November 5, 1993.
(Resolution adopted 51-45 on 12/20/95)
- Public Hearings on Packwood
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to require public hearings on ethics violations.
S 1026: 1996 Defense Authorization
Vote on an amendment to require the Senate Committee on Ethics to hold hearings when the Committee has found that there is substantial credible evidence to conclude that an ethics violation has occurred, and is investigating the violation. The amendment would include the pending case of Senator Bob Packwood.
Amendment introduced by Boxer, D-CA.
(Amendment rejected 48-52 on 8/2/95)
Category: Regulatory Issues
- Product Liability Reform - Passage *
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass bill to limit product liability punitive damages.
HR 956: Product Liability Reform
Pass a bill making it harder for juries to award punitive damages in cases of product liability, and limiting punitive damages awards. Judges would be able to increase punitive damages awards in certain cases, but in such a case, the defendant would have a right to a retrial. The bill also limits joint liability in cases against more than one company, among other provisions.
(Passed 61-37 on 5/10/95))
- Regulatory Moratorium - Passage *
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill to require congressional approval of major executive agency rules.
S 219: Regulatory Moratorium
Vote on passage of a bill to require that major rules with an annual effect on the economy of $100 million must be submitted to both houses of Congress along with a report from the Comptroller General. Congress can disapprove the rule by enacting a joint resolution of disapproval within 45 days of receiving the report. Provisions of the bill are not applicable to rules dealing with monetary policy, and the bill's requirements can be waived by the president for specific reasons including law enforcement and national security.
(Passed 100-0 on 3/29/95))
- Small Business Impact Analyses
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Amendment to require cost-benefit analyses on regulations affecting small businesses.
S 343: Comprehensive Regulatory Reform Act
Vote on an amendment to require government agencies to do a cost-benefit analysis when considering any rule that has a significant economic impact on small business.
Amendment introduced by Nunn, D-GA.
(Adopted 60-36 on 7/10/95)
- Unfunded Mandate Reform - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass bill limiting unfunded mandates to state and local government.
S 1: The Unfunded Mandate Reform Act
Vote on passage of the bill to require the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the cost to state and local governments of bills. If the imposed cost would be $50 million or more, the Congressional Budget Office would have to indicate how the bill would be funded; if federal funding could not be achieved, the bill would be subject to a point of order that could be waived only by