WASHINGTON — Here’s how area members of Congress voted on major issues in the week ending Feb. 3.
House
Mountaintop-Removal Mining: The House on Feb. 1 voted, 228-194, to nullify a federal rule aimed at protecting streams, forests and drinking water in Appalachia from pollution caused by debris when mountaintops are strip-mined for coal. A yes vote was to send the measure (HJ Res 38) to the Senate, where it was adopted and sent to the White House.
Voting yes: Martha McSally, R-Congressional District 2, Paul Gosar, R-CD4, Andy Biggs, R-CD5, David Schweikert, R-CD6, Trent Franks, R-CD8
Voting no: Tom O’Halleran, D-CD1, Raul Grijalva, D-CD3, Ruben Gallego, D-CD7, Kyrsten Sinema, D-CD9
Disclosure of Foreign Payments: The House Feb. 1 voted, 235-187, to repeal a federal requirement that publicly traded companies disclose payments to foreign governments for access to oil, natural gas and other minerals. U.S. energy firms say the rule puts them at a disadvantage against foreign competitors. A yes vote was to kill a rule designed to provide transparency to investors and spotlight possible corruption by foreign leaders. (HJ Res 41)
Yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
President Trump’s Immigration Order: Voting 231-191, the House on Feb. 1 killed a parliamentary move by Democrats to force floor debate on a bill now in committee that would defund and rescind President Trump’s newly issued order to temporarily bar refugees and immigrants from some Muslim-majority nations from entering the U.S. A yes vote was to quash the Democratic bid. (H Res 71)
Yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
Mental Issues, Gun Background Checks: The House on Feb. 2 voted, 235-180, to nullify a federal rule under which the Social Security Administration notifies the FBI system of background checks on gun purchases about persons receiving benefits due to mental issues. A yes vote opposed the rule as violative of both Second Amendment and disability rights. (HJ Res 40)
Yes: O’Halleran, McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks, Sinema
No: Grijalva, Gallego
Workplace Rule for Federal Contractors: The House on Feb. 2 voted, 236-187, to nullify a federal rule aimed at keeping federal contractors in compliance with 14 major workplace laws dealing with safety, health, wages, disabilities, civil rights and other factors. A yes vote was to kill the rule on grounds it denies due process to employers. (HJ Res 37)
Yes: McSally, Gosar, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
Natural Gas Wastage: The House on Feb. 3 voted, 221-191, to nullify a federal rule aimed at reducing losses of natural gas — from flaring, venting and leaks — in drilling operations on Bureau of Land Management and tribal lands in the West. A yes vote was to kill the rule on grounds it usurps Environmental Protection Agency authority to regulate methane emissions. (HJ Res 36)
Yes: McSally, Biggs, Schweikert, Franks
No: O’Halleran, Grijalva, Gallego, Sinema
Not voting: Gosar
Senate
Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State: The Senate on Feb. 1 confirmed, 56-43, Rex W. Tillerson as the 69th U.S. secretary of state. A yes vote was to confirm Tillerson, 64, over arguments that as ExxonMobil chair, he acted in step with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the expense of American strategic interests.
Yes: John McCain, R, Jeff Flake, R
Mountaintop-Removal Mining: The Senate on Feb. 2 voted, 54-45, to nullify a federal rule that would protect streams, forests and drinking water in Appalachia from pollution caused by debris when mountaintops are strip-mined for coal. A yes vote was to send the measure (HJ Res 38) to President Trump for his expected signature.
Yes: McCain, Flake
Disclosure of Foreign Payments: The Senate on Feb. 3 voted, 52-47, to nullify a federal rule under which publicly traded companies must disclose payments to foreign governments for access to oil, natural gas and other minerals. The rule is intended to inform investors and spotlight possible corruption by foreign leaders. A yes vote was to send the measure (HJ Res 41) to President Trump for his expected signature.
Yes: McCain, Flake
Elaine Chao, Transportation Secretary: Voting 93-6, the Senate on Jan. 31 confirmed Elaine L. Chao, 63, as the 18th U.S. secretary of transportation. In previous GOP administrations, she was secretary of labor, Peace Corps director and chair of the Federal Maritime Commission. A yes vote was to confirm Chao.
Yes: McCain, Flake
