My Votes - Week of July 18 - Cathy McMorris Rodgers

My Votes – Week of July 18

Jul 29, 2022

RULE BILLS

A rule bill is a bill passed through a full House vote under a rule that has been voted and agreed upon by the Rules Committee. Rule bills require a simple majority of the House to pass (218 votes) through a recorded vote.

7/19/2022

H.R. 8404

Respect for Marriage Act

Passed | 267-157
My Vote | NO

This bill does nothing to change what the Supreme Court has already decided is the law of the land in all 50 states when it comes to marriage equality. In other words, this bill is a solution in search of a problem. It’s nothing more than a red herring designed to distract Americans from the devastating consequences of record-high inflation, historic prices at the gas pump, skyrocketing violence in our cities, and growing food insecurity nationwide. Democrats don’t have any answers for the countless legitimate crises they’ve created, so they are creating a solution to one that doesn’t exist.

7/20/2022

H.R. 8294

Minibus Appropriations bill consisting of THUD, Agriculture, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Interior and Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY23 Funding

Passed | 220-207
My Vote | NO

This bill provides FY2023 appropriations for several federal departments and agencies. I voted against this H.R. 8294 because it does not reduce spending or reflect the economic realities Americans face. Many of the proposals included in this package receive double-digit percentage increases, including a 17% increase for Financial Services and General Government, an 18% increase for Interior and Environment, and a 12.2% increase for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. At a time when Americans are struggling to pay for gas and groceries, the federal government should be reducing spending and prioritizing core responsibilities, such as our national security, and we must cut extravagant social programs.

7/21/2022

H.R. 8373

To protect a person’s ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception, and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception.

Passed | 228-195
My Vote | NO

Every woman’s potential journey to motherhood is different, and I support their access to contraception, which is why I am leading on two bills to ensure women have access to FDA-approved birth control and routine birth control pills over the counter. However, this legislation has a lot of problems and endangers the health and safety of women. Rather than rushing another poorly drafted bill through the People’s House, we can come together to support every woman’s path to a better life and every woman’s different journey to motherhood.

SUSPENSION BILLS

A suspension bill is a bill passed by the House through suspending the rules to move quickly, circumventing the House Rules Committee. Suspension bills are typically less controversial pieces of legislation, and as the rules are being suspended, they require a higher threshold, two-thirds of those voting in the House, to pass. Additionally, these bills are often passed by a voice vote, without a formal roll call vote.

7/18/2022

S. 144

Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center Access Improvement Act

Passed | 379-41
My Vote | YES

This bill authorizes the Indian Health Service (IHS) to purchase certain private land in Hemet, California at fair market value and then construct a paved road on that land to facilitate access to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center. The IHS shall maintain the road or enter an agreement with Riverside County, California to maintain the road.

7/18/2022

H.R. 4404

Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act

Passed | 337-45
My Vote | YES

This bill designates a restored segment of the Kissimmee River in Florida as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

7/20/2022

H.R. 6337, H.R. 7002, H.R. 1286, H.R. 2024, H.R. 3222

Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act, Gateway Solidarity Act, Southern Campaign of the Revolution National Heritage Corridor Act of 2021, Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Act, Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act

Passed | Passed Voice
My Vote | YES

These 5 bills were voted on together en bloc. The bloc included several bills to establish national heritage areas. It also included a bill that authorizes the illumination of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, by blue and yellow lights to show support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

7/18/2022

H.R. 7025

Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022

Passed | 379-43
My Vote | YES

This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to take actions to ensure that the international financial assistance it provides does not go to any foreign security force unit (e.g., a military or paramilitary unit) where there is a reasonable belief that the unit has committed a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights.

7/19/2022

H.R. 7693

National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022

Passed | 397-22

My Vote | YES

This bill reauthorizes the National Park Foundation through fiscal year 2023.

7/19/2022

H.Res. 1130

Expressing support for the sovereign decision of Finland and Sweden to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Passed | 394-18

My Vote | YES

This resolution expresses support for Finland and Sweden’s historic decision to apply to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The resolution also opposes any attempt by the Russian government to act in an adverse way in response to Finland and Sweden’s decision to apply to join NATO. Finally, the resolution calls on the member states of NATO to formally support the accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO.