The House Appropriations Committee, which is headed by Verona’s representative to Congress Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ11), voted this past week to cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by $528 million. The cuts, which were less severe than those requested by President Donald Trump, were part of the markup of a $31.4 billion funding bill for the EPA, the Interior Department and other programs.
The Appropriations Committee also went against the president’s budget in several aspects of its markup of the fiscal 2018 Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations bill. It maintained funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which the president had sought to eliminate, and gave slight increases to Head Start and Community Health Centers. But it decreased funding for Job Corps and the Employment Training Administration. You can view the markup action on several other appropriations measures through Frelinghuysen’s website here.
In other action in the House, there was a bi-partisan vote to reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the first time in 15 years, reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and make changes to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other programs. Frelinghuysen gave one of the 386 “yes” votes to that bill.
Meanwhile, Verona’s senior senator, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) announced a bill on Friday to modernize the water testing at ocean beaches and bays, including those at the Jersey Shore. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced a bill to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to create stricter regulations on tenant rating agencies. Housing rights advocates say that current tenant screening practices make it possible for landlords to blacklist low-income tenants.
On July 20, Booker and Menendez met with doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to talk about Republican health care proposals and what could be done instead. You can view that meeting through Menendez’ Facebook page. (Verona’s legislators have been making increasing use of technology to reach constituents, like their use of virtual town halls.)
“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 July 17-21:
Jul 17, 2017 5:31 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Patrick M. Shanahan to be Deputy Secretary of Defense: Patrick M. Shanahan, of Washington, to be Deputy Secretary of Defense
Cloture Motion Agreed to 88/6
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Jul 17, 2017 6:54 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2210: To designate the community living center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the “Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center”.
Passed 401/0
Jul 17, 2017 7:02 p.m. — Vote
H.J.Res. 92: Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to amend the Washington Area Transit Regulation Compact.
Passed 402/0
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 17, 2017 7:09 p.m. — Vote
H.J.Res. 76: Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to a enter into a compact relating to the establishment of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.
Passed 399/5
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 18, 2017 12:15 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN583: Patrick M. Shanahan, of Washington, to be Deputy Secretary of Defense
Nomination Confirmed 92/7
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Jul 18, 2017 2:06 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 451: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 806) to facilitate efficient State implementation …
Passed 231/188
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 18, 2017 2:17 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 451: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 806) to facilitate efficient State implementation of ground-level ozone standards, and for other purposes.
Passed 235/188
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jul 18, 2017 2:36 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2786: To amend the Federal Power Act with respect to the criteria and process to qualify as a qualifying conduit hydropower facility.
Passed 420/2
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 18, 2017 5:04 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 198 (Castor) to H.R. 806: To halt implementation of the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 if the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee finds that application could increase health risks to vulnerable populations including children…
Failed 194/232
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 18, 2017 5:08 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 199 (Tonko) to H.R. 806: To strike subsection (b) of Section 3, which would to allow EPA to consider technological feasibility when determining what level of pollution is safe.
Failed 182/241
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 18, 2017 5:12 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 200 (Beyer) to H.R. 806: To strike subsection (h) of section 3 (relating to exceptional events).
Failed 191/235
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 18, 2017 5:16 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 201 (Polis) to H.R. 806: Redesignate sections 5 and 6 as sections 6 and 7, respectively. Insert after section 4 the following: SEC. 5. BRINGING REDUCTIONS TO ENERGY’S AIRBORNE TOXIC HEALTH EFFECTS. ***.
Failed 186/242
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 18, 2017 5:20 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 202 (McNerney) to H.R. 806: Strike section 6.
Failed 190/236
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 18, 2017 5:36 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 806: Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017
Failed 191/235
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 18, 2017 5:43 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 806: Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017
Passed 229/199
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Jul 19, 2017 10:33 a.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of John Kenneth Bush, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit: John Kenneth Bush, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit
Cloture Motion Agreed to 51/48
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Jul 19, 2017 2:01 p.m. — Vote
Table Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair
Passed 235/190
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 19, 2017 2:10 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 454: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2910) to provide for Federal and …
Passed 236/192
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 19, 2017 2:22 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 454: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2910) to provide for Federal and State agency coordination in the approval of certain authorizations under the Natural Gas Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R
Passed 234/194
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 19, 2017 4:58 p.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 1 to H R 2883
Failed 182/246
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 19, 2017 5:03 p.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 2 to H R 2883
Failed 179/247
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 19, 2017 5:18 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 2883: Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act
Failed 193/232
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 19, 2017 5:24 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2883: Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act
Passed 254/175
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 19, 2017 5:30 p.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 1 to H R 2910
Failed 180/249
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 19, 2017 5:35 p.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 3 to H R 2910
Failed 192/236
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 19, 2017 5:49 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 2910: Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act
Failed 189/239
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 19, 2017 5:56 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 2910: Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act
Passed 248/179
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 20, 2017 11:33 a.m. — Vote
H.R. 2825: DHS Authorization Act of 2017
Passed 386/41
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 20, 2017 11:39 a.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 1 to H R 218
Failed 190/234
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 20, 2017 11:44 a.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 3 to H R 218
Failed 167/260
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: No
Jul 20, 2017 12:09 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 218: King Cove Road Land Exchange Act
Passed 248/179
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Jul 20, 2017 12:16 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN370: John Kenneth Bush, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit
Nomination Confirmed 51/47
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Jul 20, 2017 1:49 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: David Bernhardt to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior: David Bernhardt, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior
Cloture Motion Agreed to 56/39
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Jul 20, 2017 – Introduction
S. 1606: A bill to authorize grants for the support of caregivers.
Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ]
This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
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.
