Congress.org: How Hawaii's Elected Officials Voted - March 31, 2014

04/01/2014

In this MegaVote for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes

Senate: Ukraine Aid – Substitute Amendment
Senate: Unemployment Benefits – Cloture
House: National Monument Designations – Passage
House: Ukraine Aid—Passage

Upcoming Congressional Bills

Senate: Medicare “Doc Fix”
Senate: Unemployment Benefits
House: Ukraine Aid
House: Health Care Reform

Recent Senate Votes

Ukraine Aid – Substitute Amendment - Vote Agreed to (98-2)

The Senate agreed upon a substitute amendment offered by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. to a Ukrainian aid package on Thursday. As amended, the bill would offer $150 million in aid to the Ukrainian government and offer loan guarantees from unobligated funds in the State Department budget. It would expand visa restrictions, freeze the assets of Russian officials and require the Defense Department to review Russian military capabilities annually through 2020. As amended, the bill passed by voice vote later that day.

Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES
Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES

Unemployment Benefits – Cloture - Vote Agreed to (65-34, 1 Not Voting)

The Senate invoked cloture on a bill that would exempt volunteer service hours by firefighters and other first responders from the 30-hour-a-week threshold under the 2010 health care reform laws that established a full-time employer mandate for health coverage. The bill is intended to serve as a legislative vehicle to extend expired long-term unemployment benefits.

Sen. Brian Schatz voted YES
Sen. Mazie Hirono voted YES

Recent House Votes

National Monument Designations – Passage - Vote Passed (222-201, 8 Not Voting)

The House narrowly approved a bill on Wednesday to limit the power of the president to designate national monuments under the 1906 Antiquities Act. The bill would limit presidential authority to one designation per state over a four-year term. It also would require an environmental impact statement for designations over 5,000 acres and a cost estimate study for the proposed monument. Sites less than 5,000 acres would expire after three years without a full environmental review, but could be made permanent if the environmental review process was used.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted NO

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO

Ukraine Aid—Passage - Vote Passed (399-19, 13 Not Voting)

On Thursday, the House approved a $120 million aid package to Ukraine and expanded sanctions against Russian government officials in the wake of that country’s annexation of Crimea. The bill easily cleared the two-thirds majority required for passage under a suspension of House rules.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted YES

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted YES

Upcoming Votes

Medicare “Doc Fix” - HR4302

On Monday the Senate is expected to vote on the Medicare physician payment fix.

Unemployment Benefits - HR3979

The Senate is also expected to vote on the extension of unemployment insurance this week.

Ukraine Aid - HR4152

The House is scheduled to vote on the Senate’s substitute amendment on Ukrainian aid on Tuesday.

Health Care Reform - HR2575

On Wednesday, members will vote on a bill to replace the 30-hour-a-week threshold for full-time employment under the 2010 health care reform laws with a 40-hour threshold.

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