The news out of Capitol Hill this week was dominated by the effort by House Republicans to repeal and replace the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act. One of the key reasons why that effort failed was the decision by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ11th), Verona’s representative to Congress, to withdraw his support for the American Health Care Act, as the Republican bill was known. Frelinghuysen is the current chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and, in his telephone town halls he has sounded a note of caution about some of President Donald Trump’s spending plans.
In other news, New Jersey’s senators split their votes on the confirmation of David Friedman to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, with Sen. Cory Booker voting against and Sen. Bob Menendez in the affirmative. And lest you think that Congress never does anything bipartisan any more, take a look at all the votes concerning the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that happened this week.
“Verona In Washington” is a new weekly column summing up the activity of Verona’s representatives in Congress. Here are the legislative actions by Verona’s federal representatives, both major and procedural, during the week of March 20-24:
Mar 20, 2017 6:51 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1294: Reducing DHS Acquisition Cost Growth Act
Passed 408/0
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.R. 1294 requires that the Department of Homeland Security’s major acquisition programs be subject to great Departmental and Congressional oversight when they fail to meet key cost, schedule, or performance requirements. Specifically, the legislation establishes a remediation plan and root cause analysis of a “breach” in a major acquisition program. The Under Secretary for Management at the Department is required to review and approve the plan, submit the plan and analysis to Congress, and take corrective action. The legislation defines a major acquisition program as an expenditure of at least $300 million.
Mar 20, 2017 7:06 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1249: DHS Multiyear Acquisition Strategy Act of 2017
Passed 409/0
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.R. 1249 requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a Multiyear Acquisition Strategy as part of each Future Years Homeland Security Program to guide the overall direction of Department acquisitions, while also providing flexibility to deal with every-changing threats and risks.
Mar 20, 2017 7:13 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1252: DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017
Passed 407/1
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.R. 1252 establishes the Under Secretary for Management as the Department of Homeland Security’s Chief Acquisition Officer responsible for approving, pausing, modifying, or canceling major acquisition programs as needed. The legislation defines major acquisition programs as total expenditures above $300 million. The Under Secretary can delegate such authorities for amounts below this threshold.
Mar 21, 2017 12:02 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN85 and PN86: Charles R. Breyer, of California, to be a Member of the United States Sentencing Commission for a term expiring October 31, 2021
Nomination Confirmed 98/0
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Yea
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Mar 21, 2017 — Agreed To (Simple Resolution)
S.Res. 81: A resolution recognizing the 196th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in Greece and the United States.
Sponsor: Sen. Robert “Bob” Menéndez [D-NJ]
Last Action: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Explanation: This simple resolution was agreed to on March 21, 2017. That is the end of the legislative process for a simple resolution.
Mar 21, 2017 1:35 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 209: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 372) to restore the application of …
Passed 231/185
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Mar 21, 2017 1:42 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 209: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 372) to restore the application of the Federal antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect competition and consumers.
Passed 234/182
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Mar 21, 2017 1:49 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1353: Transparency in Technological Acquisitions Act of 2017
Passed 414/2
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.R. 1353 requires annual updates from the Transportation Security Administration on strategic investment goals relating to technology procurement. In addition, the bill requires congressional notification for any changes in procurement costs.
Mar 21, 2017 4:37 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 210: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1101) to amend title I of …
Passed 233/186
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Mar 21, 2017 4:45 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 210: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1101) to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees.
Passed 233/186
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Mar 21, 2017 4:55 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1297: Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Corrections Act of 2017
Passed 415/0
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.R. 1297 revises the requirements for the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) with the purpose of improving the quality and timeliness of the review that the Department of Homeland Security carries out. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to: conduct a risk assessment to inform the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, complete more robust stakeholder engagement, and maintain all documentation regarding the Quadrennial Review.
Mar 21, 2017 6:11 p.m. — Vote
H.J.Res. 69: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to “Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on Na
Joint Resolution Passed 52/47
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
H.J.Res. 69 would nullify the rule issued by the Department of the Interior on August 5, 2016, amending regulations for National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska that govern predator control and public participation and closure procedures.
The rule amended regulations for the National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska, referring to existing mandates related to predator control on Alaska refuges. In addition to prohibiting several methods and means for the take of predators the rule also updates public participation and closure procedures.
According to the bill’s sponsor, “There’s no question, the Fish and Wildlife Service rule—which lays claim to more than 20 percent of our state—violates ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act) and the Alaska Statehood …
Mar 22, 2017 1:36 p.m. — Vote
Table Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair
Passed 230/189
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Mar 22, 2017 1:45 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 372: Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2017
Failed 189/233
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Nay
Mar 22, 2017 1:52 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 372: Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2017
Passed 416/7
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
H.R. 372 amends a section of the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 which exempted the insurance industry from the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act. The Act ensures that health insurance issuers are subject to the same antitrust and unfair trade practices laws that all businesses have had to comply with. This would subject insurers to federal laws against price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations to the detriment of competition and consumers. However, the antitrust exemption is retained for certain collaborative activities between health insurance businesses.
Mar 22, 2017 3:30 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 1101: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017
Failed 179/233
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Nay
Mar 22, 2017 3:39 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1101: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017
Passed 236/175
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Mar 22, 2017 3:47 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1238: Securing our Agriculture and Food Act
Passed 406/6
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
H.R. 1238 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize a program to coordinate the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense from acts of terrorism and other high-consequence events that pose a risk to homeland security.
Mar 22, 2017 4:50 p.m. — Vote
H.J.Res. 83: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to “Clarification of Employer’s Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain an Accurate Record of Each Recordable Injury and Illness”.
Joint Resolution Passed 50/48
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Mar 23, 2017 12:25 p.m. — Vote
S.J.Res. 34: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other
Joint Resolution
Passed 50/48
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Nay
Mar 23, 2017 1:07 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture re Nomination of David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel: David Friedman, of New York, to be Ambassador to Israel
Cloture Motion Agreed to 52/46
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Mar 23, 2017 2:11 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN53: David Friedman, of New York, to be Ambassador to Israel
Nomination Confirmed 52/46
Sen. Booker [D-NJ]: Nay
Sen. Menéndez [D-NJ]: Yea
Mar 23, 2017 8:44 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 221: Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration …
Passed 233/185
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Mar 23, 2017 8:51 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 221: Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.
Passed 227/189
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Mar 23, 2017 9:01 p.m. — Vote
On Approving the Journal
Passed 202/197
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Mar 24, 2017 10:54 a.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H RES 228 Providing for consideration of H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017
Passed 236/186
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Mar 24, 2017 11:02 a.m. — Vote
On Agreeing to the Resolution: H RES 228 Providing for consideration of H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017
Passed 230/194
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
Mar 24, 2017 11:11 a.m. — Vote
H.R. 1365: Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Innovation Act
Passed 424/0
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Aye
H.R. 1365 codifies activities executed by the Chief Procurement Officer of the Department of Homeland Security. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Under Secretary for Management to designate an official to manage acquisition innovation activities in the Department.
Mar 24, 2017 11:17 a.m. — Vote
On Approving the Journal
Passed 218/201
Rep. Frelinghuysen [R-NJ11]: Yea
Sen. Robert “Bob” Menendez is a Democrat who has represented New Jersey in the United States Senate since 2006. You can read more about Menendez’ record on GovTrack, an independent developer of open data resources on Congress.
Sen. Cory Booker is a Democrat who has represented New Jersey in the United States Senate since 2013. You can read more about Booker’s record on GovTrack, an independent developer of open data resources on Congress.
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, a Republican, represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional district. Verona has been part of this district since a gerrymandering in 2012. You can read more about Frelinghuysen’s record on GovTrack, an independent developer of open data resources on Congress.
