How our legislators voted
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week (Oct. 1-7):
House vote
Surface Transportation Extension Act (HR 5434)— The House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.) that would authorize, through Oct. 31, programs operated by the Transportation Department that are funded by the highway trust fund. DeFazio said the extension was vital because authorization had expired at the close of September. The vote passed on Oct. 1, 365-51.
Derek Kilmer (D-WA, 6th) Yes
Senate votes
S 1301 — The Senate passed an amendment to a bill that would suspend the federal government’s debt ceiling through Dec. 3, 2021. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the suspension would allow time for Congress to work on “a long-term solution to the debt limit to make sure financial markets remain stable and our economic recovery stays on track.” An opponent, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said there needed to be a constraint on debt increases because the debt burden had already reached excessive levels, with corresponding hazards to the economy and inflation. The vote passed on Oct. 7, 50-48
Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Yes
Patty Murray (D-WA) Yes
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Jonathan Meyer to serve as general counsel for the Homeland Security Department. From 1999-2016, Meyer was a lawyer at Homeland Security, the Justice Department and in the Senate; since 2016, he has been a private practice lawyer. A supporter, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said Meyer “has demonstrated that he understands the complex legal issues facing DHS and the importance of ensuring that the Department cooperates with Congressional oversight.” The vote passed on Oct. 4, 51-47.
Cantwell (D-WA) Yes
Murray (D-WA) Yes
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Paloma Adams-Allen to serve as deputy administrator of management and resources at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Adams-Allen has been a official at the agency, specializing in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as an advisor at the Organization of American States. A supporter, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., called Adams-Allen “a dedicated public servant who has spent her entire career focusing on international development and eliminating global poverty.” The vote passed on Oct. 5,79-20.
Cantwell (D-WA) Yes
Murray (D-WA) Yes
The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lauren J. King to serve as a judge on the U.S. district court for the western district of Washington. King has been a private practice lawyer in the state since 2008, with a specialty in Indian tribal law. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wa., said: “I firmly believe Ms. King has the experience, knowledge, and perspective required to serve on our federal judiciary with distinction.” The vote passed on Oct. 5, 55-44.
Cantwell (D-WA) Yes
Murray (D-WA) Yes
The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Sarah Merriam to serve as a judge on the U.S. district court for Connecticut. Merriam has been a federal magistrate judge since 2015, and previously was a public defender in Connecticut’s federal courts. A supporter, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited “the widespread respect she has earned for her skill, qualifications, temperament, and fidelity to the rule of law.” The vote passed on Oct. 6, 54-46.
Cantwell (D-WA) Yes
Murray (D-WA) Yes.
