Bryan Watch: Nov/Dec 2020

Just Before Thanksgiving: November 16-20

Congress returned to work after a two month break, and had a relatively slow week. There were only nine votes last week, five party line and four non-party line. Steil voted with the Republicans 80 percent of the time.

Steil's one good vote came on November 20, when he supported HR 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act, one of only 20 Republicans to vote for the bill (RC 227). The bill is geared towards creating job opportunities in the building and construction trades over the next five years.

He voted for an amendment by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) that would have basically gutted the intention of the Apprenticeship Act, and allow shoddy industry-run apprenticeship programs to take the place of long established union sponsored programs. (RC 226, Nov 20)

Steil also voted against an amendment by Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) that would require that antbody applying for grants under the new program would work with either a labor organization or a joint labor-management organization. (RC 225, also Nov 20) Almost every Republican (8 to 151) voted against the Levin Amendment (#9) because it would strengthen labor unions.

As usual, Republicans voted against even considering the Apprenticeship Act (RC 223 and 224, H Res 1224, Nov 19)

The vast majority of Congress voted to approve the defense budget, reconciling differences between the House and the Senate on HR 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (RC 222, Nov 18). Only eight members, six conservatives and two liberals (Rep. Blumenauer and DeFazio) voted against the Pentagon.

On Tuesday, the Ocean Pollution Reduction Act (HR 4611) passed by 395-4, with Steil voting to protect the ocean (RC 221, Nov 17). The members of the Crazy Caucus who were against protecting the ocean: Justin Amash (MI), Louie Gohmert (TX), Morgan Griffith (VA) and Tom Rice (SC).

And on Monday, the House passed some more veterans legislation. This week it was S 3147, the Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act (RC 220, Nov 16, 394-0) and S 327, the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act (RC 219, Nov 16, 401-0).

Scorecard

Total Votes: 9

Party Line: 5 (4-5: 80%, 223, 224, 225,226)

Good: RC 227

December 2020: Week 1

Marijuana and Big Cats Top the Agenda

The House returned to Capitol Hill after Thanksgiving Break on Wednesday, December 3.

The major bill before the House was HR 3884, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act), a major marijuana reform bill. The bill would remove marijuana as a controlled substance and effectively decriminalize growing, distributing and owning marijuana. It would also tax cannabis products to create a trust fund to assist communities and individuals impacted by the “War on Drugs.”

The bill also would create procedures to expunge marijuana related offenses from people’s criminal records.

Democrats voted overwhelmingly (222-6) to legalize marijuana, while Republicans were against it 158 to 5. (RC 235. Dec 4). Congratulations to Matt Gaetz (FL), Brian Mast (FL), Tom McClintock (CA), Denver Riggleman (VA) and Don Young (AK) for being the only Republicans to support this common sense legislation. Note that Rep. Steil is not on the list.

Thursday afternoon, Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona attempted to adjourn the House right before they debated the MORE bill. Only five Republicans voted to adjourn, and Biggs was not one of them. 192 Republicans, including Steil, did not bother to vote at all. (RC 229, Dec 3)

Republicans, including Steil, did support a motion to recommit by Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ) allowing employers to continue to use drug testing for marijuana use, despite the fact that tests for marijuana usage are not effective enough. (Lesko motion to recommit, RC 234, Dec 4) . Only one Republican, Matt Gaetz (FL), voted against the motion.

Quite naturally, Republicans voted against consideration of HR 3884 (Roll Call 230 and 231, Dec 3; H Res 1244)

Two semi-bipartisan bills passed the House during the first week of December. On Wednesday, the House passed HR 1380, the Big Cat Public Safety Act with 48 Republicans voting for it. Steil voted against. (RC 232, Dec 3). The bill prohibits ownership of large cats such as lions and tigers (Oh my!) and was inspired by the Netflix sensation “Tiger King” earlier this year.

And on Thursday, the House passed S 2981, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act with 38 Republicans voting for it. Once again, Steil sided with the majority of the Republican caucus against it. (Dec 233, Dec 4) The bill would reform personnel rules for the NOAA, which has staff around the world studying weather patterns. Republicans believe that in a time of global climate change studying weather patterns is not necessary. (Congressional Record, H6121, December 3)

Last and certainly least, the House also passed HR 7995, the Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act. (RC 228, Dec 2). The bill would allow the mint to change the way they make coins after a study on the subject. 40 Republicans, primarily the Crazy Caucus, voted against the bill. Steil voted for it.

Scorecard (December 3 and 4)

There were 8 votes this week, seven of them party line. Steil voted with the Republican caucus 100 percent of them time this week.