On Friday, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) slammed the Senate Republican healthcare bill as “heartless” and “cruel”. Menendez is a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) was equally strong in his condemnation of the Trumpcare bill: “It is painfully clear that this bill — developed in secret, with no public input, accountability, or transparency — was never intended to give better health coverage to more people, it was deliberately crafted to protect and increase the wealth of the few.”
Republican health plan is a huge new tax cut for the wealthy, paid for by ending coverage for millions & making families pay more for less pic.twitter.com/ES0d2lJTsi
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) June 23, 2017
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ11), who voted for the House version of the bill saying the Senate would “have the opportunity to improve this legislation significantly,” had nothing to say about the Senate plan. Instead, Frelinghuysen focused his weekly newsletter on the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Act and legislation to direct more federal funding to the U.S. military. The United States already spends more on defense than China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United Kingdom, India, France, and Japan combined.
Frelinghuysen will be hosting another Telephone Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, June 27 at 5:30 p.m. To participate, constituents need to sign up through Frelinghuysen’s website or call his offices (973-984-0711 or 202-225-5034) to be put on the call list.
In other action, there were votes to confirm more Trump administration nominees, the introduction of a measure to end federal subsidies to sports stadiums and two bills to help foster children and the adults who care for them. “Verona In Washington” is a weekly column summing up the activity of Verona’s representatives in Congress. Here are their votes for the week of June 18-24:
Jun 20, 2017 11:01 a.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN455: Brock Long, of North Carolina, to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
Nomination Confirmed 95/4
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Jun 20, 2017 11:31 a.m. — Vote<
Motion to Invoke Cloture on Sigal Mandelker, of New York, to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes: Sigal Mandelker, of New York, to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes
Cloture Motion Agreed to 94/5
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Jun 20, 2017 4:52 p.m. — Bill Summary
S. 1342: Eliminating Federal Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2017
Since 2000, 36 sports stadiums (Mets, Yankees were leading recipients) have been constructed using $3.2 billion in federal tax subsidies. A new bill would end this practice. It all stems from a provision in a 1986 tax reform bill, which accidentally created a loophole which allowed tax avoidance for many bonds used to finance sports stadiums.
Jun 20, 2017 6:51 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2847: Improving Services for Older Youth in Foster Care Act
Passed 391/8
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jun 20, 2017 7 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2866: Reducing Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act
Passed 382/19
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jun 21, 2017 2:19 p.m. — Vote
Table Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair
Passed 227/188
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jun 21, 2017 2:34 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 392: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1873) to amend the Federal Land …
Passed 229/186
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jun 21, 2017 2:42 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 392: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1873) to amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to enhance the reliability of the electricity grid and reduce the threat of wildfires to and from electric transmission and distri
Passed 230/185
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jun 21, 2017 4:22 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 137 (Carbajal) to H.R. 1873: To ensure that owners and operators of electric transmission and distribution facilities submit management plans to the Secretary.
Failed 171/243
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jun 21, 2017 4:39 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1873: Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act
Passed 300/118
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jun 21, 2017 4:54 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN172: Sigal Mandelker, of New York, to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes
Nomination Confirmed 96/4
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Jun 21, 2017 5:27 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Marshall Billingslea to be Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing: Marshall Billingslea, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, Department of the Treasury
Cloture Motion Agreed to 65/34
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Jun 22, 2017 1:33 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 396: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2842) to provide for the conduct …
Passed 226/184
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jun 22, 2017 1:42 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 396: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2842) to provide for the conduct of demonstration projects to test the effectiveness of subsidized employment for TANF recipients, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.
Passed 233/179
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jun 22, 2017 1:58 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN366: Marshall Billingslea, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, Department of the Treasury
Nomination Confirmed 65/35
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Jun 22, 2017 2:26 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Kristine L. Svinicki, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Kristine L. Svinicki, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2022
Cloture Motion Agreed to 89/10
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Jun 22, 2017 4:12 p.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 2 to H R 1654
Failed 179/232
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jun 22, 2017 4:32 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1654: Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act
Passed 233/180
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jun 23, 2017 10:42 a.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 4 to H R 2842
Agreed to 380/32
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jun 23, 2017 10:53 a.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 5 to H R 2842
Agreed to 264/147
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jun 23, 2017 11:01 a.m. — Vote
H.R. 2842: Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act
Passed 377/34
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
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.
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.
