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How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Nov. 9

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Posted 2023-11-10T22:25:20+00:00 - Updated 2023-11-11T13:00:00+00:00

Targeted News Service

Here's how North Carolina members of Congress voted over the previous week.

In addition to the week's roll call votes, the Senate also confirmed, by voice vote, the nomination of Herro Mustafa Garg to be ambassador to Egypt.

House votes

OIL AND NATURAL GAS FEES: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andrew Ogles, R-Tenn., to the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4821), to block funding to implement legislation that raises fees for oil and natural gas production leases on federal government lands. Ogles said the estimated $6.5 billion of resulting costs was a mistake, and the government should instead "be taking steps to roll back costs on our infrastructure, on oil and gas exploration." An amendment opponent, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said: "To make sure that gas and oil interests are paying a fair price when they do drill on American public land seems only reasonable." The vote, on Nov. 3, was 214 yeas to 204 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Edwards R-NC (11th)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

CLIMATE CHANGE ORDERS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4821). The amendment would bar funding for implementation of the Biden administration's various climate change executive orders. Roy said the orders were "destroying the American way of life and making it virtually impossible for people to figure out how to live their lives while we pursue unicorn energy theories that we are going to be able to somehow magically produce power without the use of reliable power." An amendment opponent, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said carrying out the orders "will result in more resilient communities, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and protect our world for future generations." The vote, on Nov. 3, was 208 yeas to 207 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Edwards R-NC (11th)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT: The House has passed the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4821), sponsored by Rep. Michael K. Simpson, R-Idaho. The bill would provide $25.4 billion of fiscal 2024 funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Interior Department, Forest Service, and an array of related agencies. Simpson said: "This bill will help manage our public lands wisely, meet our commitment to our brothers and sisters in Indian Country, and restore the fiscal responsibility necessary to get our economy back on track." An opponent, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said: "This harmful bill debilitates America's ability to address the climate crisis and hobbles the agencies within its jurisdiction" by sharply cutting their budgets. The vote, on Nov. 3, was 213 yeas to 203 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Edwards R-NC (11th)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

IRANIAN OIL: The House has passed the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act (H.R. 3774), sponsored by Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., to require sanctions against foreigners who process or merchant crude oil and petroleum products made in Iran. Lawler said sanctions were needed "to limit Iran's global influence and protect those the Iranian regime seeks to harm, such as our Jewish and Israeli friends." The vote, on Nov. 3, was 342 yeas to 69 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Adams D-NC (12th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Edwards R-NC (11th), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

PUERTO RICO HISTORIC SITE: The House has passed the Fort San Gerinimo Preservation Act (H.R. 359), sponsored by Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, R-Puerto Rico, to make Fort San Gerinimo del Boquern, in Puerto Rico, part of the National Park System. The fort, located in San Juan, was initially built early in the 1600s, and is the last structure surviving from the Battle of San Juan in 1797. Gonzalez-Colon said the designation "is a cost-effective way to conserve this important historic and cultural site without placing it under federal ownership or management." The vote, on Nov. 6, was 359 yeas to 24 nays.

NOT VOTING: McHenry R-NC (10th)
YEAS: Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Edwards R-NC (11th), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)
NAYS: Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th)

HOUSING GRANTS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4820), that would provide $100 million for a HUD housing grants program. Blunt Rochester said the program "incentivizes reform of local land-use policies that hinder the expansion of an affordable housing supply" and sought to increase the supply of affordable housing in the U.S. An amendment opponent, Rep. John H. Rutherford, R-Fla., said: "Washington bureaucrats ought not be getting into the zoning business of local jurisdictions across the United States with $100 million to influence" local zoning policies. The vote, on Nov. 7, was 238 yeas to 185 nays.

NAYS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Edwards R-NC (11th) NOT VOTING: Hudson R-NC (9th)
YEAS: Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

CAR KILL SWITCHES: The House has rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4820), that would have blocked funding of a provision included in a 2021 law requiring automobile manufacturers to, starting in 2026, equip their vehicles with so-called kill switches to monitor driver performance and prevent vehicle operation. Massie said the amendment was needed to protect the right to travel freely, by not subjecting drivers to the threat of having their vehicles disabled "if the vehicle has monitored the driver's performance and the vehicle determines that the driver is not performing well." An opponent, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., claimed that the provision "does not mandate kill switches or allow data collection that invades vehicle occupants' privacy." The vote, on Nov. 7, was 201 yeas to 229 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Edwards R-NC (11th)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

CENSURING REPRESENTATIVE: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 845), sponsored by Rep. Richard McCormick, R-Ga., to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for falsely representing the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and for supporting the destruction of Israel. McCormick said: "For the safety and security of our nation, we must continue to support Israel, a nation fighting for democracy, decency, and Western values." Tlaib said: "The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is anti-Semitic sets a very dangerous precedent, and it is being used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation." The vote, on Nov. 7, was 234 yeas to 188 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Manning D-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

FARMLAND AND NATIONAL SECURITY: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro, R-N.Y., to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act (H.R. 4664), that would change funding of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. to increase its ability to evaluate the rising threat of U.S. farmland being owned by China and other adversarial nations. Molinaro said control of agriculture could give U.S. adversaries "the opportunity to spy on our military assets, steal revolutionary ag technology and research, and undermine the United States food system." An amendment opponent, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., cited its potential problematic implications. The vote, on Nov. 8, was 336 yeas to 86 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Manning D-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th) NOT VOTING: Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th)

RUSSIAN ENERGY TRANSACTIONS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act (H.R. 4664). The amendment would block funding of implementation of a recently issued government license to allow U.S. individuals to transact Russian energy products through sanctioned Russian financial institutions. Barr said: "If we really want to help the Ukrainian freedom fighters, we have to end Russia's ability to wage war. That means cutting off every avenue available for it to fund its hostilities." An opponent, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said: "One of the reasons those exemptions are given is because of the fear that there will be a substantial price hike if that oil is not on the market." The vote, on Nov. 8, was 250 yeas to 174 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Manning D-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Foushee D-NC (4th) NOT VOTING: Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th)

REFERENCES TO LATINOS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act (H.R. 4664), that would block funding to produce documents using the terms "Latinx" or "Latin-x." Salazar said "Latinx" was an artificial term that did not accord with the traditional use of "Latino" and "Latina" by Hispanics, and the amendment would align with "our traditional Hispanic culture over woke culture, to choose our history over political correctness." The vote, on Nov. 8, was 222 yeas to 198 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Edwards R-NC (11th)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th) NOT VOTING: Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th)

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FEDERAL CONTRACTORS: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act (H.R. 4664), to block funding of implementation of a proposed federal government rule requiring disclosure by contractors with more than $50 million of annual government contracts of their climate change-related financial risks. Tenney cited constitutional, national security, and practical concerns with the rule, and specifically criticized the security problems raised by having an England-based company, Science Based Targets initiative, audit the greenhouse gas emissions of federal contractors. An amendment opponent, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said: "By addressing climate-related financial risk, the rule encourages businesses to assess and mitigate their exposure to climate-related challenges." The vote, on Nov. 9, was 220 yeas to 202 nays.

YEAS: McHenry R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Bishop (NC) R-NC (8th), Edwards R-NC (11th)
NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Manning D-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Nickel D-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Jackson (NC) D-NC (14th)

Senate votes

NIH DIRECTOR: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Monica M. Bertagnolli to be Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Bertagnolli had been the National Cancer Institute's director for a year, after a career as a surgical oncologist and cancer researcher. A supporter, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Bertagnolli "has a deep understanding of what the NIH's work means for families in this country who are counting on medical breakthroughs." An opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, ID-Vt., said: "She has not convinced me that she is prepared to take on the greed and power of the drug companies and the healthcare industry in general nor is she prepared, in my view, to fight for the transformative changes the NIH needs at this critical moment." The vote, on Nov. 7, was 62 yeas to 36 nays.

YEAS: Tillis R-NC
NAYS: Budd R-NC

CALIFORNIA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kenly Kiya Kato to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Kato, a magistrate judge in the district since 2014, was previously a sole practitioner lawyer, and a federal public defender in Los Angeles. An opponent, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., expressed doubts over whether, if confirmed, Kato would abide by the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, or stand for equal justice for all. The vote, on Nov. 7, was 51 yeas to 46 nays.

NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

MASSACHUSETTS JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Julia E. Kobick to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts. Kobick was Massachusetts's deputy attorney general for several years, until 2021; since then, she has been its deputy state solicitor. A supporter, Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., called Kobick "a dedicated public servant of the highest caliber, and she will bring a rare level of legal talent to the bench." The vote, on Nov. 7, was 52 yeas to 46 nays.

NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

NEW YORK JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Ramon Ernesto Reyes, Jr., to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Reyes has been a magistrate judge in the Eastern District since 2006; before that, he was a federal prosecutor and a private practice lawyer in New York City. A supporter, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., cited Reyes's "significant trial experience and depth of knowledge of the district to which he has been nominated." The vote, on Nov. 8, was 51 yeas to 48 nays.

NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Charlotte A. Burrows to be a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for a term ending in mid-2028. Burroughs has chaired the Commission since January 2021; previously she was a lawyer in the Senate and at the Justice Department, specializing in discrimination law. A supporter, Sen. Bernie Sanders, ID-Vt., said Burrows's "dedication to improving the lives of working families and making sure they receive the wages and benefits they deserve make her the right person to lead this agency." The vote, on Nov. 8, was 51 yeas to 47 nays.

NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS: The Senate has passed a resolution (S.J. Res. 38), sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to disapprove of and void a Federal Highway Administration rule waiving "buy American" requirements for electric vehicle chargers purchased by the federal government. Rubio said allowing the waiver to remain would mean most of the $5 billion for chargers going to Chinese manufacturers, while revoking it would commit Congress to rebuilding American industry and supporting American jobs. A resolution opponent, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said that it "would remove all 'Buy America' restrictions for EV charger purchases, allowing federal taxpayer dollars, your dollars, to buy chargers from China." The vote, on Nov. 8, was 50 yeas to 48 nays.

YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

SECOND CALIFORNIA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Monica Ramirez Almadani to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Over the past two decades, Almadani has been a private practice lawyer, Justice Department lawyer, and staffer in California's attorney general's office. The vote, on Nov. 9, was 51 yeas to 44 nays.

NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

MICHIGAN JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Brandy R. McMillion to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. McMillion has been a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District since 2015, after nine years as a private practice lawyer at several law firms. A supporter, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., called McMillion "an outstanding nominee with extensive experience in both civil and criminal cases. She will be a great judge because she has always been committed to the law and has the right values." The vote, on Nov. 9, was 53 yeas to 42 nays.