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 the
Project Vote Smart - Key Votes listing for Senator Kerry. This entry covers Sen. Kerry's voting record for the year,
1996.
Other Year's entries:
1988,
1989,
1990,
1991,
1992,
1993,
1994,
1995,
1996,
1997,
1998,
1999,
2000,
2001,
2002
2003,
2004.
Thanks to
Project Vote Smart for their excellent information and for their time and effort to compile it. This entry simply summarizes their work.
Summary for 1996
Category: Transportation Issues
- FAA Authorization - Express Carriers
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a procedural motion to uphold the Chair's ruling that a provision of the conference report that would classify express carriers under the Railway Labor Act exceeded the scope of the conference committee because it was added during the conference.
HR 3539: The Federal Aviation Authorization Act
Vote on a procedural motion to uphold the ruling of the Chair on a point of order that a provision of the conference report violated a rule of the Senate. The Chair had ruled that Section 1223 of the Federal Aviation Authorization joint House-Senate conference report violated a rule of the Senate by exceeding the scope of the conference committee's authority because it was a new provision added during the conference and was not in the bill as passed by either the House or the Senate. [Section 1223 would classify express carriers under the Railway Labor Act, thus requiring their employees to unionize nationally, rather than locally.]
(Vote to sustain the ruling of the Chair rejected 39-56 on 10/3/96)
- FAA Authorization - Cloture
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to close debate and bring the conference report of a bill to authorize $19.6 billion for the FAA and other air-related programs to a vote.
HR 3539: The Federal Aviation Authorization Act
Vote on a motion to close debate and bring to a vote the joint House-Senate conference committee report of a bill to authorize $19.6 billion over two years for the Federal Aviation Administration and other air-related programs, including the Airport Improvement Program. The bill includes provisions to increase airport security, including increasing explosives-detecting capabilities and requiring security assessments at high-risk airports, and also requires airlines to share pilot training records, prohibit s children under 17 from being allowed to fly solo to set records, and makes the National Transportation Safety Board the contact for families following an aircraft accident. The bill also classifies express carriers under the Railway Labor Act, thus requiring their employees to unionize nationally, rather than locally, among other provisions.
(Cloture motion agreed to 66-31 on 10/3/96)
- Merchant Marine Subsidies
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment to prohibit ship owners from using merchant marine subsidies for political activities.
HR 1350: The Maritime Security Act
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment that would prohibit ship owners who receive merchant marine subsidies from using any of the money for lobbying, public education, or making political contributions.
Stevens, R-AK, motion to table Grassley, R-IA, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 50-48 on 9/24/96)
- Amtrak Capital Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to express the sense of the Senate that one-half cent of the federal gas tax going to mass transit should go to a fund for Amtrak capital expenses.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that one-half cent of the share of the federal gas tax that goes towards mass transit should be dedicated to a new Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund through 2001. The Trust Fund would be a dedicated funding source for Amtrak's capital expenses. [Note: Sense of the Senate resolutions are non-binding.]
Amendment introduced by Roth, R-DE.
(Amendment adopted 57-43 on 5/23/96)
- FAA Authorization - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to authorize $19.6 billion over two years for the FAA and other air-related programs, increase airport security, and make other changes dealing with aviation.
HR 3539: The Federal Aviation Authorization Act
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report on a bill to authorize $19.6 billion over two years for the Federal Aviation Administration and other air-related programs, including the Airport Improvement Program. The bill includes provisions to increase airport security, including increasing explosives-detecting capabilities and requiring security assessments at high-risk airports, and also requires airlines to share pilot training records, prohibits children under 17 from being allowed to fly solo to set records, and makes the National Transportation Safety Board the contact for families following an aircraft accident. The bill also classifies express carriers under the Railway Labor Act, thus requiring their employees to unionize nationally, rather than locally, among other provisions.
(Conference report adopted 92-2 on 10/3/96)
Category: Foreign Aid and Policy Issues
- Cuba Sanctions and Embargo - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Final passage of bill to seek international sanctions and strengthen the U.S. embargo against Cuba
HR 927: The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act
Vote to adopt the conference report [final version] of a bill to seek international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, and to plan for support of a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba. The bill codifies the and strengthens the U.S. embargo of Cuba, requires additional U.S. sanctions on countries that assist Cuba, denies visas to aliens who confiscate, convert or benefit from property confiscated from U.S. nationals by the Cuban government, and al lows U.S. citizens with a claim to property confiscated by the Cuban government to take court action against any person who traffics in that property after August 1, 1996.
(Conference report adopted 74-22 on 3/5/96)
- Burma Policy
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to table an amendment that deletes the bill's provision to ban investment in Burma until it is certified that it has a democratically-elected government, and replaces it with a provision to allow investment and certain kinds of U.S. aid.
HR 3540: Fiscal 1997 Foreign Operations Appropriations
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment that would replace the provision of the original bill that bans investment in Burma until the president certifies to Congress that it has a democratically-elected government with an amendment to restrict U.S. aid to Burma to humanitarian aid, counter-narcotics efforts, or human rights aid until the president certifies that Burma has made substantial progress in the area of human rights and democratic government, or unless the president certifies that such a policy is contrary to national security interests. The amendment would also allow U.S. investment in Burma unless the Government of Burma harms, re-arrests or exiles Daw Aung San Suu Kye, or has committed large-scale repression or violence against the democratic opposition.
McConnell, R-KY, motion to table Cohen, R-ME, amendment.
(Tabling motion rejected 45-54 on 7/25/96)
- START II Treaty Ratification
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Ratification of the START II Treaty limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear warheads
Treaty Document 103-1: START II Treaty
Vote on a resolution to ratify the START II Treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation. The treaty requires that the U.S. and the Russian Federation each limit their number of nuclear warheads to 3,000-3,500 warheads by 2003. In addition, the treaty requires the elimination of MIRVs [missiles with multiple warheads] and heavy ICBM missiles by 2003, among other provisions.
(Adopted and Ratified 87-4 on 1/26/96; 2/3rds vote required)
- authorize foreign affairs funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Adopt final version of bill to authorize foreign affairs funding and abolish a foreign affairs agency.
HR 1561: Fiscal Year 1996/1997 Foreign Relations Authorization
Vote on the conference report (final version) of a bill to authorize $13 billion for the Department of State and related foreign affairs agencies for 1996 and 1997. The conference agreement requires the abolition of at least one agency from among three international affairs agencies--the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, the Agency for International Development, and the United States Information Agency--and its consolidation into the Department of State, among other provisions.
(Conference Report adopted 52-44 on 3/28/96)
- Aid to Vietnam
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on an amendment to delete the $1.5 million provided for economic aid to Vietnam.
HR 3540: Fiscal 1997 Foreign Operations Appropriations
Vote on an amendment that would delete the $1.5 million provided in the bill for economic aid to Vietnam.
Amendment introduced by Smith, R-NH.
(Amendment rejected 43-56 on 7/25/96)
Category: Budget Spending and Taxes
- Temporary Funding of Government Agencies - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass Continuing Resolution to fund unfunded agencies through 3/15/96
HR 2880: The Balanced Budget Downpayment Act
Vote on final passage of a Continuing Resolution to fund the Commerce, State, Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and the VA-HUD Appropriations bill through March 15, 1996 at the levels established in the conference agreements on those bills generally under the terms and conditions of fiscal year 1995. The bill also funds the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and the Labor-HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill until March 15 at the lower of the funding levels established in the House-passed bill, the Senate-passed bill, or the current rate. In addition, the resolution funds the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill through the balance of the fiscal year, September 30, 1996, at the levels contained in the conference report on the bill. Also included in the foreign operations portion in the resolution is a special provision prohibiting population assistance funding until July 1, 1996, unless expressly authorized.
(Continuing Resolution passed 82-8 on 1/26/96)
- Omnibus 1996 Appropriations - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Adopt joint House-Senate conference committee report of a bill funding departments not yet funded.
HR 3019: Omnibus FY1996 Appropriations
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report of a bill to set 1996 spending for departments and agencies that have not yet been funded through regular appropriations bills, including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Justice and State. The conference report provides an additional $5 billion in spending compared with earlier bills, and cuts total domestic discretionary spending by $22 billion over 19 95 spending levels and ends 200 federal programs. Among other provisions, the conference report retains the national service "AmeriCorps" program and the "Goals 2000" educational program [at lower levels of funding], and the Cops on the Beat program to hire 100,000 new police officers by 2002. The report also keeps the moratorium on new listings under the Endangered Species Act, and allows the president to lift the ban in certain cases. The bill provides $503 million for a block grant for local law enforcement, and $403 million for state prison grants, with part of the money allocated for states that have "truth in sentencing" laws. It also overturns a provision of a recent law that requires that anyone in the military who has been diagnosed as H.I.V. positive be discharged, among other provisions. The conference report does not include previous provisions to limit the EPA's enforcement authority, or allow states to deny Medicaid coverage of abortions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
(Conference Report adopted 88-11 on 4/25/96)
- Social Security Tax Deduction
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on an amendment to allow an income tax deduction for Social Security taxes.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on an amendment to establish an income tax deduction for Social Security taxes paid by employees and the self-employed.
Amendment introduced by Ashcroft, R-MO.
(Amendment rejected 43-57 on 5/22/96)
- Minimum Wage/Business Tax Breaks - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill to provide business tax breaks; simplify pension rules; and increase the minimum wage, among other provisions.
HR 3448: The Small Business Job Protection Act
Vote on a bill to provide $19 billion in business tax breaks, including provisions to increase write-offs for the purchasing of equipment; extend the research and development tax credit and other tax credits; simplify pension rules; increase the amount non-working spouses can place in tax-deferred IRAs from $250 to $2000 yearly; and extend tax breaks for employer-provided education through December 31, 1996. The bill also extends the 10% airplane ticket and cargo excise tax through April 15, 1997, and requires expatriate Americans who have given up their citizenship to pay certain taxes, among other provisions. The bill also includes provisions to raise the minimum wage to from $4.25 an hour $4.75 by July 1, 1996 and to $5.15 by July 1, 1997; provide that employers can pay their employees who receive tips a minimum of $2.13 an hour, rather than the current requirement of 50% of the minimum wage, and maintain the requirement that employers pay the difference between the base salary plus tips earned and the minimum wage if there is a gap; and allow employers to pay newly-hired employees under the age of 20 $4.25 per hour during the first 90 days of employment. The bill also provides that employers don't have to pay minimum wage or overtime for the time that employees who use company vehicles use to commute to work, as long as the use is within a business' normal commuting area, and the employee and the employer have an agreement.
(Bill passed 74-24 on 7/9/96)
- Omnibus Appropriations/Immigration Reform - Conference
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to fund nine Cabinet departments and other federal agencies, and make changes in immigration policies.
HR 4278: Fiscal 1997 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report on an omnibus bill that provides $600 billion in combined appropriations for the Departments of the Treasury, Commerce, Justice, State, Defense, Interior, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The bill also funds the Postal Service, the Judiciary, foreign aid, export programs, and other government agencies, including an additional $6.5 billion for anti-terrorism, education an d other domestic programs. The bill also includes the provisions of a bill [HR 2202] to change immigration policy. Immigration provisions include increasing the size of the Border Patrol by 5,000 agents over five years, and increasing penalties for documents fraud, being in the country illegally, and smuggling illegal aliens into the country. The bill establishes a 3-year voluntary pilot program in five states to allow employers to verify job applicants' Social Security numbers through a toll-free phone number. The bill also prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits and most other public assistance, but allows them access to emergency medical care and federally-funded AIDS treatment. The bill expedites deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of crimes, and implements a two-step expedited process for people seeking religious or political asylum. It also increases the required income for people who wish to sponsor legal immigrants, limits public assistance eligibility for legal immigrants who have received welfare benefits for 12 months, and bars legal immigrants from certain programs such as Medicaid until they have been in the country for five years, among other provisions.
(Bill passed 84-15 on 9/30/96 [the Senate then passed HR 3610, the House conference report by voice vote.])
- delete the $122 billion tax cuts
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to delete the $122 billion tax cuts over six years included in the budget resolution.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to delete the $122 billion provided in the bill over six years to fund tax cuts, including a $500 per child tax credit for families earning under $100,000, and apply the money towards deficit reduction.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Feingold, D-WI, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 57-43 on 5/23/96)
- Minimum Wage/Business Tax Breaks - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference of a bill to provide business tax breaks; simplify pension rules; and increase the minimum wage, among other provisions.
HR 3448: The Small Business Job Protection Act
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report of a bill to provide $10 billion in business tax breaks and tax relief, including provisions to increase write-offs for the purchasing of equipment; extend the research and development tax credit and other tax credits; simplify pension rules to encourage the expansion of retirement plans; increase the amount non-working spouses can place in tax-deferred IRAs from $250 to $2000 yearly; provide a $5,000 tax credit to cover the costs of adoption; and extend tax breaks for employer-provided education through May 31, 1997. The bill also extends the 10% airplane ticket and cargo excise tax through December 31st, 1996, and phases out a tax credit that was given to U.S. businesses operating in Puerto Rico among other provisions. The bill also includes provisions to raise the minimum wage to from $4.25 an hour $4.75 by October 1, 1996 and to $5.15 by September 1, 1997; provide that employers can pay their employees who receive tips a minimum of $2.13 an hour, rather than the current requirement of 50% of the minimum wage; maintain the requirement that employers pay the difference between the base salary plus tips earned and the minimum wage if there is a gap; and allow employers to pay newly-hired employees under the age of 20 $4.25 per hour during the first 90 days of employment. The bill also provides that employers don't have to pay minimum wage or overtime for the time that employees who use company vehicles use to commute to work, as long as the use is within a business' normal commuting area, and the employee and the employer have an agreement.
(Conference report adopted 76-22 on 8/2/96)
- National Debt Limit
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to increase the national debt limit
HR 2880: The Balanced Budget Downpayment Act
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment that would increase the limit on the United States national debt [debt ceiling] from the current $4.9 trillion to $5.4 trillion.
Dole, R-KS, motion to table Moynihan, D-NY, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 46-45 on 1/26/96)
- Supermajority Vote
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Table an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that tax reform should include a supermajority vote to raise taxes.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment that would express the Sense of the Senate that any fundamental tax reform should be accompanied by a proposal to amend the Constitution to require a supermajority vote in each House of Congress to approve tax increases. [A Sense of the Senate resolution is non-binding.]
Exon, D-NE, motion to table Kyl, R-AZ, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 59-41 on 5/22/96)
- 1997 Budget Resolution - adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report on the 1997 Budget Resolution.
H Con Res 178: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report of the 1997 budget resolution. The resolution sets spending levels through 2002 to balance the budget by 2002, and establishes a $1.62 trillion budget for 1997. Over six years, the resolution provides for spending reductions of $702 billion, tax cuts of $122 billion, and $580 billion in deficit reduction. The resolution includes $298 billion in discretionary spending reductions, and reduces the projected rate of growth of Medicare by $158 billion, Medicaid by $72 billion, and welfare by $53 billion over six years, among other provisions. The tax reductions would come from a $500 per-child tax credit for families earning under $100,000.
(Conference report adopted 53-46 on 6/13/96)
- Balanced Budget Amendment II - Passage *
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to pass a resolution to propose a balanced budget constitutional amendment.
H Joint Res 1: Balanced Budget Amendment
Vote to pass a resolution to propose a balanced budget Constitutional amendment. The amendment would require the president to submit a proposed budget that is balanced, and require that total government spending not exceed total receipts. A 3/5th vote of the House and Senate would be necessary to approve an increase in the public debt limit or to approve deficit spending. Congress could waive the balanced budget requirements if a declaration of war is in effect, or there is a serious military threat to national security.
(Joint resolution rejected 64-35 on 6/6/96; 2/3rds vote required)
- spending levels through 2002, balancing the budget by 2002, 1997 budget
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass budget resolution setting spending levels through 2002, balancing the budget by 2002, and setting the 1997 budget.
H Con Res 178: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote to adopt the Budget Committee's budget resolution setting spending levels through 2002 to balance the budget by 2002, and establishing the budget for 1997. Over six years, the resolution provides for spending reductions of $714 billion, tax cuts of $122 billion, and $592 billion in deficit reduction. The resolution includes $311 billion in discretionary spending reductions, and reduces the projected rate of growth of Medicare by $168 billion, Medicaid by $72 billion, and welfare by $53 billion over six years, among other provisions. The tax reductions would come from a $500 per-child tax credit for families earning under $100,000. [The resolution was passed under the House bill number.]
(Resolution adopted 53-46 on 5/23/96)
- Tax Cuts
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to delete the $122 billion tax cuts over six years included in the budget resolution.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to delete the $122 billion provided in the bill over six years to fund tax cuts, including a $500 per child tax credit for families earning under $100,000, and apply the money towards deficit reduction.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Feingold, D-WI, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 57-43 on 5/23/96)
- Minimum Wage and Gas Tax
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to bring a bill to reduce the federal gas tax, increase the minimum wage, and reduce restrictions on employer-employee workplace issue groups to a vote.
HR 2937: White House Travel Office Employees Reimbursement
Vote to close debate and bring to a vote an amendment that would eliminate the 4.3 cents addition to the federal gas tax that was added in 1993; raise the minimum wage to $5.15 by July 3, 1997; and reduce restrictions on employers establishing, assisting, maintaining or participating in employee-management work groups to discuss workplace issues of mutual interest, other than collective bargaining agreements.
Amendment introduced by Dole, R-KS.
(Cloture motion rejected 52-44 on 5/9/96; 60 votes required)
- Further Continuing Appropriations through 4/24/96
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass resolution to fund unfunded government agencies through April 24, 1996
H Joint Res 170: Further Continuing Appropriations
Pass a resolution to continue funding federal departments and programs that have not yet been funded through fiscal year 1996 appropriation bills. The resolution extends funding for all applicable programs through April 24, 1996. In addition, the resolution provides $198 million for assistance to Eastern Europe and the Baltic States and provides $220 million to the District of Columbia to fund it through the fiscal year.
(Resolution passed 64-24 on 3/29/96)
- Business Tax Provisions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on an amendment to extend certain expiring tax breaks; simplify pension law; extend airplane ticket excise taxes; and require expatriate Americans to pay certain taxes.
HR 3448: The Small Business Job Protection Act
Vote on an amendment that would add language to the bill to extend certain expiring tax breaks an additional six months through December 31, 1997; implement pension simplification procedures, including provisions to assist pensioners' spouses; and allow certain teaching hospitals to provide tax-free housing to faculty and students. The amendment would also extend the 10% airplane ticket and cargo excise tax through April 15, 1997, instead of the original bill's extension through September 30, 1996, and require expatriate Americans who have given up their citizenship to pay certain taxes, among other provisions.
Amendment introduced by Roth, R-DE.
(Amendment adopted 96-2 on 7/9/96)
- Table amendment - add $65 million in discretionary spending authority
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table an amendment to add $65 million in discretionary spending authority over six years.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment that would add an additional $65 billion in discretionary spending authority over six years to the budget, bringing discretionary spending up to the levels of the president's budget. The amendment also eliminates the budget firewall between defense and non-defense spending. The amendment would be paid for by extending expired tax provisions, and corporate tax reform.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Byrd, D-WV, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 61-39 on 5/22/96)
- Foreign Profits
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment to end the deferring of taxes by U.S. companies who manufacture goods overseas for sale in the U.S.
HR 3756: Fiscal 1997 Treasury, Postal and General Government Appropriations Act
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment that would end the current tax provisions that allow U.S. companies that have manufacturing operations in foreign companies and ship products back to the United States for sale to defer paying taxes on their profits until those profits are sent to the United States.
Shelby, R-AL, motion to table Dorgan, D-ND, amendment.
(Tabling motion adopted 58-41 on 9/11/96)
- replace the budget resolution with the Chafee-Breaux alternative
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to replace the budget resolution with the Chafee-Breaux alternative budget resolution.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a substitute budget resolution to set spending levels through 2003, balance the budget by 2003, and set the budget for 1997. The substitute provides for a total of $679 in spending reductions and $105 billion in tax cuts, over seven years. The resolution would reduce discretionary spending by $268 billion, and would reduce the rate of spending on Medicare by $154 billion, Medicaid by $62 billion, and welfare by $52 billion, over seven years. The resolution includes provisions to reduce the capital gains tax and provide a $250 per-child tax credit for families. The resolution also includes a provision to reduce cost-of-living increases for benefits such as Social Security by reducing the Consumer Price Index by one half of one percent, reducing Social Security benefits by $126 billion over seven years, among other provisions.
Substitute Amendment introduced by through Chafee, R-RI.
(Substitute amendment rejected 46-53 on 5/23/96)
- Increase Debt Limit
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Substitute amendment to increase the debt limit to $5.4 trillion
HR 3021: Guaranteeing Obligations of the U.S.
Vote on a substitute amendment to replace the debt limit provisions with language that would increase the U.S. debt limit from the current $4.967 trillion to $5.4 trillion. The bill's original provisions would extend the government's borrowing authority through March 29th, 1996 if the debt limit had not been increased before then.
Substitute amendment introduced by Moynihan, D-NY.
(Amendment rejected 43-47 on 3/7/96)
- Omnibus 1996 Appropriations - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass bill to set funding levels for the remainder of the fiscal year for departments and agencies not yet funded under regular appropriation bills.
HR 3019: Omnibus 1996 Appropriations
Vote to pass a bill to set 1996 spending for departments and agencies that have not yet been funded through regular appropriations bills. The bill also includes $1 billion for flood disaster relief, $1 billion for peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, and $70 million for jet fighters for Jordan. It also includes provisions to increase logging in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, and to continue the moratorium on listing species under the Endangered Species Act, among other provisions. The bill provides additional funding for environmental, education and job training programs that are not included in the House version of the bill.
(Bill passed 79-21 on 3/19/96)
- amendment to add $5 billion in budget authority to total 1997 non-defense discretionary spending
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on an amendment to add $5 billion in budget authority to total 1997 non-defense discretionary spending.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on an amendment to add $5 billion in budget authority and $4 billion in outlays to the total 1997 non-defense discretionary spending in the bill, to be paid for by improved debt collection. The amendment would replace an earlier amendment that would add $2.7 billion to education, job training and health programs, to be paid for by a one-half of one percent cut in executive branch administrative expenses.
Domenici, R-NM, amendment to the Harkin, D-IA, amendment.
(Amendment adopted 76-24 on 5/23/96)
- replace the budget resolution with the budget levels offered in President Clinton's budget
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to replace the budget resolution with the budget levels offered in President Clinton's budget.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a substitute amendment that would replace the budget resolution under consideration with the budget submitted by President Clinton, setting spending levels and balancing the budget by 2002. Over six years, the substitute provides for spending reductions of $535 billion, tax cuts of $6 billion, and $528 billion in deficit reduction. The resolution includes $218 billion in discretionary spending reductions, and reduces the projected rate of growth in Medicare by $118 billion, Medicaid by $54 billion, and welfare by $38 billion, among other provisions.
Substitute amendment introduced by Exon, D-NE.
(Substitute amendment rejected 45-53 on 5/16/96)
Category: Environmental Issues
- Endangered Species
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Kill an amendment to continue the ban on listing any new species under the Endangered Species Act
HR 3019: Omnibus 1996 Appropriations
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment to an earlier amendment that would continue the moratorium on listing any additional species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act until the Endangered Species Act is reauthorized, or until the end of fiscal year 1996. The amendment includes provisions to allow 240-day emergency listings. The original amendment would repeal the moratorium.
Reid, D-NV, motion to table Hutchison, R-TX, amendment.
(Tabling motion rejected 49-51 on 3/13/96)
- Increase Environmental Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to increase funding for environmental programs and the National Service program.
HR 3019: Omnibus 1996 Appropriations
Vote on an amendment to increase funding in the bill for EPA water infrastructure financing, Superfund toxic waste site cleanup, and operating programs by $487 million, bringing EPA funding up to $6.5 billion, and to increase funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service [AmeriCorps] by $400.5 million.
Amendment introduced by Bond, R-MO.
(Amendment adopted 81-19 on 3/19/96)
- Grazing Fees [Tabling Motion] 3-21-96
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Kill amendment to set higher federal land grazing fees for ranchers with large herds
S 1459: Public Rangelands Management Act
Motion to table, or kill, an amendment to continue the current federal land grazing fee rates for ranchers with small herds, but set new, higher grazing fees for ranchers with larger herds. They would have to pay grazing fees equal to the higher of their individual state's state land grazing fees or the federal grazing fee. The amendment would change the monthly federal grazing fee charge for ranchers with large herds from $1.35 per animal unit to $1.50 per animal unit plus 25% in 1997, $1.75 plus 25% in 1998, and $2.00 per animal unit plus 25% in 1999 and after.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Bumpers, D-AR, amendment.
(Tabling motion agreed to 52-47 on 3/21/96)
- Rangelands Management - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Pass bill to increase grazing fees over five years and make other changes in federal rangelands management.
S 1459: Public Rangelands Management Act
Pass a bill to change current rangeland regulations. The bill would change the formula to determine monthly grazing fees per animal unit to about $1.90 over five years; provide that livestock grazing would generally not fall under National Environmental Protection Act provisions, but land use plans would; establish that water rights would be determined by state law; change the current rule requiring that members of the interested public be notified of proposed decisions to notification of affected parties only; establish Grazing Advisory Councils made up of people with knowledge of grazing management, including permit and lease holders and representatives of social and economic interests; and move the management of the National Grasslands from the Forest Service to the Secretary of Agriculture in order to expand effective grazing, among other provisions.
(Bill passed 51-46 on 3/21/96)
- Timber Sales
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to repeal the emergency timber sale program implemented in 1995, and require that timber salvage agreements be subject to environmental laws and judicial review.
HR 3019: Omnibus 1996 Appropriations
Vote on an amendment that would repeal the emergency salvage timber sale program that was implemented in 1995, and replace it with requirements that federal forest timber salvage agreements be subject to administrative appeal and judicial review, and also subject to environmental and natural resource laws. Salvage agreements reached under the current program would be renegotiated to provide companies who have already bought salvage rights with alternatives.
Amendment introduced by Murray, D-WA.
(Amendment rejected 42-54 on 3/14/96)
- Parks Package/Utah Wilderness
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Bring Parks Package amendment, including Utah Wilderness provisions, to a vote
HR 1296: The Presidio Properties Administration Act
Motion to limit debate and bring to a vote a substitute amendment adding a package of almost 60 park proposals to the bill, including a provision that designates 2 million acres of federal land in Utah as wilderness area and makes the remaining 20 million acres of federal land available for multipurpose use. The original bill would establish a public/private trust to manage The Presidio in San Francisco as a national park.
(Cloture motion rejected 51-49 on 3/27/96)
- Safe Drinking Water Act - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference report of a bill to improve water quality.
S 1316: Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report of a bill to reauthorize the Safe Drinking Water Act. The conference report authorizes $7.6 billion through 2003 for grants and loans that will be administered by states to assist local communities in meeting water quality standards. The bill includes provisions to require water programs that provide water to more than 500 people to report water contaminants and health risks to their customers, among other provisions.
(Conference report adopted 98-0 on 8/2/96)
- Grazing Fees - Substitute Amendment
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Kill substitute amendment to the bill
S 1459: Public Rangelands Management Act
Motion to table, or kill, a substitute amendment to the bill that would replace the bill with language that allows renewal and transfer of grazing permits and leases to be done without having to follow National Environmental Policy Act regulations, but requires all other grazing-related actions comply with NEPA; establish local Grazing Advisory Boards; change the current rule requiring that members of the interested public be notified of proposed decisions to notification of defined affected parties only; and expand the original bill's provisions that waive the subletting surcharge when a rancher sublets grazing land to his or her children to include spouses and grandchildren as well, among other provisions. The substitute keeps the original bill's formula regarding grazing fees, but establishes a minimum fee of $1.50 per animal unit month.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Bingaman, D-NM, amendment.
(Tabling motion agreed to 57-40 on 3/21/96)
Category: Education
- Retain Higher Level of Education Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Allow amendment to keep Continuing Resolution education funding at the higher 1995 rate
HR 2880: The Balanced Budget Downpayment Act
Vote on a procedural motion to allow consideration of an amendment that would fund education programs at the same level they were funded at in 1995 through March 15th, 1996, instead of at the level of 75% of 1995 funding, as provided by the bill.
Original amendment introduced by Kerry, D-MA.
(Motion rejected 51-40 on 1/26/96)
- Education Funding - Tabling Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Table amendment to add $56 billion to education and training spending levels over six years.
S Con Res 57: 1997 Budget Resolution
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to add an additional $56 billion over six years to education and training spending levels, including the Head Start, Pell Grant and Goals 2000 programs, bringing education and training spending up to the level included in the president's budget. The costs would be paid for by extending expired tax provisions, or corporate and business tax reforms.
Domenici, R-NM, motion to table Kerry, D-MA, amendment.
(Tabling motion passed 52-48 on 5/22/96)
- Education Funding - Restore $2.7 billion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to restore $2.7 billion in additional education and training funding
HR 3019: Omnibus 1996 Appropriations
Vote on an amendment to provide $2.7 billion in additional spending for education and training programs, raising spending levels to near-1995 levels. The funds would come from selling the U.S. Enrichment Corporation and selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, among other funding mechanisms.
Amendment introduced by Specter, R-PA.
(Amendment adopted 84-16 on 3/12/96)
Category: Technology and Communication
- Telecommunications Bill - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass telecommunications bill to decrease regulations and increase competition
S 652: The Telecommunications Act of 1996
Vote to adopt the conference report [final passage] of a bill to promote competition and reduce regulation of the telecommunications industry. The bill eliminates many restrictions on cable rates, allows long distance and cable companies into the local phone service market, and increases the number of stations that individual media companies can own. It also requires television sets to include a device that can be used to block out material rated as offensively sexual or violent in nature, and institutes a fine and/or imprisonment for people who knowingly use telecommunications devices [i.e. telephones or electronic communication via computers] to harass or make obscene communications towards others, or to make obscene or indecent communications to minors, among other provisions.
(Conference report adopted 91-5 on 2/1/96)
- Technology Programs
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Amendment to restore $398.5 billion for five technology programs, including the Commerce Department's Advanced Technology program.
HR 3019: Omnibus 1996 Appropriations
Vote on an amendment to provide $398.5 billion for five technology programs. The amendment restores $300 million in funding for the Commerce Department's Advance Technology Program, provides an additional
$32 million for the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, and provides an additional $62 million for the Environmental Technology Initiative, among other provisions. The amendment offsets its spending through a provision that would improve the collection of delinquent Federal debts.
Amendment introduced by Hollings, D-SC.
(Amendment rejected 47-52 on 3/12/96)
- Ban Bion Project Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to table an amendment that would allow U.S. funds to be spent on participating in a project to study monkeys in space.
HR 3666: Fiscal 1997 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment that would allow funds in the bill to be used to support U.S. participation in the Bion Project. [The Bion project is a joint project of the U.S., France and Russia to send Rhesus monkeys into space for 14 days to study the effects of no gravity on the body.]
Smith, R-NH, motion to table Senate Appropriation Committee amendment.
(Tabling motion rejected 42-54 on 9/4/96; the amendment was then adopted by voice vote.)
- Space Station - Terminate
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment to terminate the Space Station project.
HR 3666: Fiscal 1997 VA, HUD and Independent Agency Appropriations
Vote on a motion to table, or kill, an amendment to prevent any funds in the bill from being used by NASA for the Space Station project, unless the funds are used to terminate the project.
Bond, R-MO, motion to table Bumpers, D-AR, amendment.
(Tabling motion adopted 61-36 on 9/4/96)
Category: Labor
- Minimum Wage/Business Tax Breaks - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill to provide business tax breaks; simplify pension rules; and increase the minimum wage, among other provisions.
HR 3448: The Small Business Job Protection Act
Vote on a bill to provide $19 billion in business tax breaks, including provisions to increase write-offs for the purchasing of equipment; extend the research and development tax credit and other tax credits; simplify pension rules; increase the amount non-working spouses can place in tax-deferred IRAs from $250 to $2000 yearly; and extend tax breaks for employer-provided education through December 31, 1996. The bill also extends the 10% airplane ticket and cargo excise tax through April 15, 1997, and requires expatriate Americans who have given up their citizenship to pay certain taxes, among other provisions. The bill also includes provisions to raise the minimum wage to from $4.25 an hour $4.75 by July 1, 1996 and to $5.15 by July 1, 1997; provide that employers can pay their employees who receive tips a minimum of $2.13 an hour, rather than the current requirement of 50% of the minimum wage, and maintain the requirement that employers pay the difference between the base salary plus tips earned and the minimum wage if there is a gap; and allow employers to pay newly-hired employees under the age of 20 $4.25 per hour during the first 90 days of employment. The bill also provides that employers don't have to pay minimum wage or overtime for the time that employees who use company vehicles use to commute to work, as long as the use is within a business' normal commuting area, and the employee and the employer have an agreement.
(Bill passed 74-24 on 7/9/96)
- Minimum Wage/Business Tax Breaks - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference of a bill to provide business tax breaks; simplify pension rules; and increase the minimum wage, among other provisions.
HR 3448: The Small Business Job Protection Act
Vote to adopt the joint House-Senate conference committee report of a bill to provide $10 billion in business tax breaks and tax relief, including provisions to increase write-offs for the purchasing of equipment; extend the research and development tax credit and other tax credits; simplify pension rules to encourage the expansion of retirement plans; increase the amount non-working spouses can place in tax-deferred IRAs from $250 to $2000 yearly; provide a $5,000 tax credit to cover the costs of adoption; and extend tax breaks for employer-provided education through May 31, 1997. The bill also extends the 10% airplane ticket and cargo excise tax through December 31st, 1996, and phases out a tax credit that was given to U.S. businesses operating in Puerto Rico among other provisions. The bill also includes provisions to raise the minimum wage to from $4.25 an hour $4.75 by October 1, 1996 and to $5.15 by September 1, 1997; provide that employers can pay their employees who receive tips a minimum of $2.13 an hour, rather than the current requirement of 50% of the minimum wage; maintain the requirement that employers pay the difference between the base salary plus tips earned and the minimum wage if there is a gap; and allow employers to pay newly-hired employees under the age of 20 $4.25 per hour during the first 90 days of employment. The bill also provides that employers don't have to pay minimum wage or overtime for the time that employees who use company vehicles use to commute to work, as long as the use is within a business' normal commuting area, and the employee and the employer have an agreement.
(Conference report adopted 76-22 on 8/2/96)
- Substitute Team Act
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on a substitute amendment that adds health and safety issues to the issues that could be discussed by worker-management teams; limits the bill's provisions to non-unionized workplaces; and requires equitable participation by workers and management.
S 295: The Teamwork for Employees and Management Act
Vote on a substitute amendment to add language to the bill making it in agreement with the House version, HR 743. The substitute includes provisions to allow health and safety to the issues that could be discussed by worker-management teams; limit the bill's provisions to non-unionized workplaces; and require that workers and management have equitable participation.
Kassebaum, R-KS, amendment to conform to House version.
(Substitute amendment adopted 61-38 on 7/10/96)
- Team Act - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to pass a bill allowing employers to establish worker-management groups to deal with workplace issues in non-unionized workplaces.
HR 743: The Teamwork for Employees and Management Act
Vote to pass a bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to allow employers in non-unionized workplaces to establish worker-management groups to deal with workplace issues including health, safety, productivity and quality. The bill does not allow such workplace groups to negotiate, enter into or amend collective bargaining agreements.
(Bill passed 53-46 on 7/10/96; after the bill number was changed from S295)
- Minimum Wage Increase - Effective 1/1/97
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on amendment to implement a minimum wage increase 6 months later than in the original bill; exempt businesses with annual sales of less than $500,000 from minimum wage requirements; allow a 180 day training wage for newly-hired employees; and change the base wage for employers with employees who receive tips to a minimum of $2.13 an hour, rather than the current 50% of minimum wage, among other provisions.
HR 3448: The Small Business Job Protection Act
Vote on an amendment to change the effective date of a minimum wage increase to $4.75 on January 1, 1997 and $5.15 on January 1, 1998; exempt businesses that have annual sales of less than $500,000 from the minimum wage increase; allow employers to pay newly-hired employees $4.25 per hour during the first 180 days of employment; and provide that employers can pay their employees who receive tips a minimum of $2.13 an hour, rather than the current requirement of 50% of the minimum wage. The amendment maintains the current requirement that employers pay the difference between the base salary plus tips earned and the minimum wage if there is a gap. The amendment also provides that employers don't have to pay minimum wage or overtime for the time that employees who use company vehicles use to commute to work, as long as the use is within a business' normal commuting area, and the employee and the employer have an agreement, among other provisions.
Amendment introduced by Bond, R-MO.
(Amendment rejected 46-52 on 7/9/96)
- Union Fees
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to bring up a bill to repeal provisions of current federal law that require employees at unionized businesses to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment.
S 1788: National Right to Work Act
Vote on a procedural motion to end debate and bring up for consideration a bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal the provisions of federal law that require employees at unionized businesses to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment.
Motion introduced by Lott, R-MS.
(Cloture motion rejected 31-68 on 7/10/96; 60 votes required for adoption)
- Minimum Wage Increase - Bring to Vote
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Bring to a vote an amendment to raise the minimum wage.
HR 1296: The Presidio Properties Administration Act
Motion to limit debate and bring to a vote a substitute amendment to increase the minimum wage to $4.70 an hour beginning July 5, 1996, and to $5.15 an hour after July 4, 1997. The substitute would replace an earlier amendment that would add language to the bill to increase the minimum wage to $4.70 an hour beginning July 4, 1996 and to $5.15 an hour after July 3, 1997.
Amendment intorduced by Kennedy, D-MA.
(Cloture motion rejected 55-45 on 3/28/96)
- Minimum Wage Increase - Effective 6/1/96
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on an amendment to increase the minimum wage; exempt certain computer professionals from overtime laws; and allow a 30-day training wage for newly-hired employees under 20, among other provisions.
HR 3448: The Small Business Job Protection Act
Vote on an amendment to increase the minimum wage from $4.25 an hour to $5.75 on June 1, 1996 and $5.15 on July 1, 1997; allow employers to pay newly-hired employees under the age of 20 $4.25 per hour during the first 30 days of employment; and exempt computer professionals earning more than $27.63 per hour from overtime requirements [currently such professionals are exempted if they earn more than 6.5 times the existing minimum wage]. The amendment also provides that employers don't have to pay minimum wage or overtime for the time that employees who use company vehicles use to commute to work, as long as the use is within a business' normal commuting area, and the employee and the employer have an agreement.
Amendment introduced by Kennedy, D-MA.
(Amendment rejected 46-52 on 7/9/96)
- Minimum Wage and Gas Tax
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to bring a bill to reduce the federal gas tax, increase the minimum wage, and reduce restrictions on employer-employee workplace issue groups to a vote.
HR 2937: White House Travel Office Employees Reimbursement
Vote to close debate and bring to a vote an amendment that would eliminate the 4.3 cents addition to the federal gas tax that was added in 1993; raise the minimum wage to $5.15 by July 3, 1997; and reduce restrictions on employers establishing, assisting, maintaining or participating in employee-management work groups to discuss workplace issues of mutual interest, other than collective bargaining agreements.
Amendment intorduced by Dole, R-KS.
(Cloture motion rejected 52-44 on 5/9/96; 60 votes required)
Category: Congressional Affairs
- Term Limits - Cloture
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to bring a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to limit congressional terms to a vote.
S Joint Res 21: Constitutional Amendment to Limit Terms
Vote to close debate and bring to a vote a substitute amendment to propose a Constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of Congress. Members of the House would be limited to 6 full terms, and members of the Senate to 2 full terms. If a member was elected in a special election to fill more than half of a former member's term, that would be counted as a full term. Members of Congress elected before ratification of the proposed amendment would not have their prior service count towards the limit.
(Cloture motion rejected 58-42 on 4/23/96; 2/3rds vote required)
Due to size constraints for diaries, the rest of this diary is continued as comments below:
PS - if an editor, or somebody else with
delete_comments happens by, I'd appreciate the removal of
this comment and it's child. It was an error, and I'd like this series to be as un-confusing as possible. Thanks.