Bryan Watch - May 2021 II

To wrap the week, , the House followed up the January 6 Commission with a bill to improve security at the Capitol Complex. Republicans, to a person (including Steil), voted against making the very buildings they work in safer. Yes, that really happened (RC 156, May 20)

Republicans did support a phony baloney Motion to Recommit by Tony Gonzales of Texas, who railed about a phony border crisis (RC 155, May 20)

On Wednesday, the House voted to create a commission to investigate the insurrectionist attack on the US Capitol Building that took place January 6. Only 35 Republicans voted to find out the truth about January 6, and Steil was not one of them (RC 154, May 19)

Wednesday also saw a stunt vote by Republicans regarding mask wearing in the Capitol Building. Democrats quickly moved to table H Res 414, which was tabled on a 100 percent party line vote. (RC 153, May 19)

In one of the more shocking votes this month, most House Republicans voted against condemning the mass shooting in Atlanta on March 16 and reaffirming the House’s commitment to fight hate crimes and violence against the Asian-American/Pacific Islander community. Only 30 Republicans supported the anti-bigotry resolution, and Steil was not one of them (RC 149, May 19).

To his credit, Rep. Steil voted in favor of S 937, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which passed 364 to 62 on Tuesday. (RC 145, May 18) The bill will expedite the investigation of hate crimes that arise out of the pandemic; most have been directed against Asian Americans.

Also to his credit, Steil voted for HR 1629, the Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act, which passed on a vote of 402 to 23 (RC 150. May 19)

On Monday, the House passed its regular “Let’s do something for veterans” bill. This week, it was HR 2911, the VA Transperancy and Trust Act, which passed 411 to 4. Four Democrats (Brendan Boyle, Casten, Escobar, Garcia (TX)) voted against the bill as a protest against sponsor Michael Bost of Illinois, who voted to reject the electoral votes of Arizona and Pennsylvania. (RC 144, May 17)

As usual, Republicans voted against even considering any legislation this week. On Tuesday, they voted against considering HR 1629, the orphan drug bill and H Res 275 on the Atlanta shootings (RC 146 and 147, May 18). And on Wednesday, they voted against considering HR 3233, the January 6 commission and HR 3237, a supplemental appropriations act (RC 151 and 152, May 19)

On Wednesday, the House passed a whole block of bills with a single vote (Roll Call 148, May 18). Here are the bills that were approved on a 350 to 75 vote, with Steil voting YES. The block passed with no debate at all. (Congressional Record, May 18, H2482-2519)

H.R. 144: Supporting Early Career Researchers Act

H.R. 204: STEM Opportunities Act

H.R. 210: Rural STEM Education Research Act

H.R. 240: Homeless Veterans With Children Reintegration Act

H.R. 707: Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act

H.R. 711: West Los Angles VA Campus Improvement Act

H.R. 1157: Department of State Authorization Act

H.R. 1447: Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats Research Act

H.R. 1510: Director VA Secretary to Submit a Report on Use of Cameras in Medical Centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs

H.R. 1711: Financial Inclusion in Banking Act

H.R. 2027: MSI STEM Achievement Act

H.R. 2167: GI Bill National Emergency Extended Deadline Act

H.R. 2441: Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act

H.R. 2494: Establishing Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration

H.R. 2533: National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act

H.R. 2655: Insider Trading Prohibition Act

H.R. 2695: Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

H.R. 2704: Improving VA Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

H.R. 2788: VA Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor Modernization Act

H.R. 2878: Native Vet Success at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program

H.R. 3008. Homebuyer Assistance Act of 2021

Scorecard

Total Votes: 13

Party Line: 9 (Steil voted the Republican line 100% this week)

NPL: 150, 148, 145, 144 (4)