This week in Washington saw the introduction of the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, which is also known as Obamacare. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, a staunch opponent of Obamacare, did not issue a statement of the Republican plan, but one of Verona’s two senators, Cory Booker, did, promising to oppose the legislation “every step of the way.” The repeal effort, which is trying to push the new plan through the House and Senate before the end of March, could be very costly to New Jersey. New Jersey Policy Perspective, a progressive think tank, has estimated that the repeal of Obamacare would cost the state $4.2 billion in lost federal funding a year and that 289,000 New Jerseyans would lose coverage.
In other legislative action, Sen. Robert Menendez co-sponsored a bill to require the Federal Aviation Administration to set minimum seat size and legroom standards for airplanes.
Rep. Frelinghuysen, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, was instrumental in the approval of the 2017 Defense Appropriations bill, H.R. 1301, which passed by a vote of 371-48. The bill, which must be considered by the Senate, funds military operations overseas, gives a 2.1% pay raise to military personnel and provides base operating funds for New Jersey’s military installations.
“Verona In Washington” is a new weekly column summing up the activity of Verona’s representatives in Congress. Here are the legislative actions by Verona’s federal representatives, both major and procedural, during the week of March 6-10:
S.Res. 81: A resolution recognizing the 196th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in Greece and the United States.
Mar 6, 2017 — Introduced
Sponsor: Sen. Robert “Bob” Menéndez [D-NJ]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Sen. Robert “Bob” Menéndez [D-NJ] is a member of the committee.
Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ] is a member of the committee.
H.J.Res. 37: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Mar 6, 2017 6:02 p.m. — Vote
Joint Resolution Passed 49/48
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
H.R. 1301: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017
Mar 8, 2017 — Bill Text
This bill’s text for status Passed the House (Engrossed) (Mar 8, 2017) is now available.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11] is the sponsor of this bill.
S. 575: A bill to amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to restrict the debt collection practices of certain debt collectors.
Mar 8, 2017 — Introduced
Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ]
This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Sen. Robert “Bob” Menéndez [D-NJ] is a member of the committee.
H.J.Res. 58: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to teacher preparation issues.
Mar 8, 2017 2:30 p.m. — Vote
Joint Resolution Passed 59/40
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Mar 8, 2017 2:36 p.m. — Vote
Passed 230/184
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.Res. 175: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 725) to amend title 28, United States Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder.
Mar 8, 2017 2:44 p.m. — Vote
Passed 235/185
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 174: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1301) making appropriations for the Department …
Mar 8, 2017 2:51 p.m. — Vote
Passed 232/189
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
On Motion to Adjourn
Mar 8, 2017 3:09 p.m. — Vote
Failed 127/295
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
H.Res. 174: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1301) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes.
Mar 8, 2017 3:16 p.m. — Vote
Passed 233/185
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
On Motion to Adjourn
Mar 8, 2017 3:33 p.m. — Vote
Failed 107/277
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Motion to Adjourn
Mar 8, 2017 4:56 p.m. — Vote
Failed 114/290
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
H.R. 1301: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017
Mar 8, 2017 5:19 p.m. — Vote
Passed 371/48
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
On Motion to Adjourn
Mar 8, 2017 5:45 p.m. — Vote
Passed 314/98
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.J.Res. 57: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to accountability and State plans under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Mar 9, 2017 12:02 p.m. — Vote
Joint Resolution Passed 50/49
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
H.J.Res. 57 would disapprove and nullify the rule issued by the Department of Education on November 28, 2016, to implement the accountability, data reporting, and state plan provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
The bill’s sponsors feel that while the Department had authority to issue regulations to implement the law, the regulation contained a number of provisions that significantly expanded the law’s requirements and violated the statute’s prohibitions against overreach by the Secretary. The bill’s sponsors also believe that the Obama Administration’s purpose for these new requirements was to constrain states’ flexibility in developing appropriate accountability systems for their states.
Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Seema Verma to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Seema Verma, of Indiana, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Mar 9, 2017 1:46 p.m. — Vote
Cloture Motion Agreed to 54/44
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 180: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 720) to amend Rule 11 of …
Mar 9, 2017 2:42 p.m. — Vote
Passed 233/186
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.Res. 180: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 720) to amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 985) to amend the proced
Mar 9, 2017 2:51 p.m. — Vote
Passed 233/184
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 2 to H R 985
Mar 9, 2017 6:07 p.m. — Vote
Failed 182/227
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 3 to H R 985
Mar 9, 2017 6:11 p.m. — Vote
Failed 189/228
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 4 to H R 985
Mar 9, 2017 6:15 p.m. — Vote
Failed 192/230
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 5 to H R 985
Mar 9, 2017 6:18 p.m. — Vote
Failed 190/230
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 6 to H R 985
Mar 9, 2017 6:21 p.m. — Vote
Failed 191/230
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 7 to H R 985
Mar 9, 2017 6:25 p.m. — Vote
Failed 193/229
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 8 to H R 985
Mar 9, 2017 6:28 p.m. — Vote
Failed 193/228
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 985: Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2017
Mar 9, 2017 6:46 p.m. — Vote
Failed 188/234
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
H.R. 985: Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2017
Mar 9, 2017 6:52 p.m. — Vote
Passed 220/201
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 1 to H R 725
Mar 9, 2017 6:59 p.m. — Vote
Failed 189/233
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 2 to H R 725
Mar 9, 2017 7:02 p.m. — Vote
Failed 187/229
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 725: Innocent Party Protection Act
Mar 9, 2017 7:14 p.m. — Vote
Failed 187/233
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
H.R. 725: Innocent Party Protection Act
Mar 9, 2017 7:19 p.m. — Vote
Passed 224/194
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
S. 484: U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2017
Mar 9, 2017 — Ordered Reported by Committee
Sponsor: Sen. Robert “Bob” Menéndez [D-NJ]
Last Action: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Explanation: The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on March 9, 2017.
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 1 to H R 720
Mar 10, 2017 10:49 a.m. — Vote
Failed 181/225
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 2 to H R 720
Mar 10, 2017 10:53 a.m. — Vote
Failed 185/225
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 3 to H R 720
Mar 10, 2017 10:58 a.m. — Vote
Failed 190/227
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 4 to H R 720
Mar 10, 2017 11:02 a.m. — Vote
Failed 189/229
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 720: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017
Mar 10, 2017 11:18 a.m. — Vote
Failed 186/232
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
H.R. 720: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017
Mar 10, 2017 11:29 a.m. — Vote
Passed 230/188
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Sen. Robert “Bob” Menendez is a Democrat who has represented New Jersey in the United States Senate since 2006. You can read more about Menendez’ record on GovTrack, an independent developer of open data resources on Congress.
Sen. Cory Booker is a Democrat who has represented New Jersey in the United States Senate since 2013. You can read more about Booker’s record on GovTrack, an independent developer of open data resources on Congress.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, a Republican, represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional district. Verona has been part of this district since a gerrymandering in 2012. You can read more about Frelinghuysen’s record on GovTrack, an independent developer of open data resources on Congress.
