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Christopher's Votes - April, 2003

Agriculture
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(114 ) HR 108: Lands Grants - Passage
April 08, 2003 - Hayworth, R-Ariz., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would require the Agriculture Department to pay for environmental reviews associated with conveying tracts of land to local school districts under the Education Land Grant Act. Motion agreed to 406-8

Vote: Yea

Arts, Immigration, Social Services and other Domestic Issues
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(99) HR 743: Social Security Fraud - Previous Question
April 02, 2003 - Linder, R-Ga., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the resolution (H Res 168) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would require the Social Security Administration to re-issue benefits when a "representative payee" misuses funds. Motion agreed to 245-177

Vote: Yea
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(100) House Vote 100 - HR 743: Social Security Fraud - Substitute
April 02, 2003 - Green, D-Texas, substitute amendment that would drop a provision in the bill that would require public employees who are eligible for a non-Social Security pension to work five years in a job that pays into Social Security before they could qualify for Social Security spousal benefits. Rejected 196-228

Vote: Nay
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(101) HR 743: Social Security Fraud - Recommit
April 02, 2003 - Green, D-Texas, motion to recommit the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee with instructions to add an amendment addressing the concerns of government employees about the government pension offset under title II of the Social Security Act. Motion rejected 203-220

Vote: Nay
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(102) HR 743: Social Security Fraud - Passage
April 02, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would require the Social Security Administration to re-issue benefits when a "representative payee" misuses funds. Non-governmental organizations that act as representative payees would be required to be bonded and licensed. Convicted felons and fugitives would be prohibited from acting as representatives. An individual who misuses benefit funds would be liable for twice the amount of misused benefits and a fine of up to $5,000 per violation. Fines also would be imposed on individuals who fail to notify the administration of circumstances that could change the amount of Social Security benefits that they are entitled to receive, and public employees would be required to work in a public job that pays into Social Security for five years before they could qualify for an exemption under the Government Pension Offset. Passed 396-28

Vote: Yea
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(148) H Con Res 149: Patriots Tribute - Adoption
April 29, 2003 - Janklow, R-S.D., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would express support for the annual celebration in April of Patriots' Day and honor the country's first patriots who acted during the battle for independence in 1775. Motion agreed to 411-0

Vote: Yea

Budget, Taxes and the Economy
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(95) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Motion to Instruct
April 01, 2003 - Spratt, D-S.C., motion to instruct House conferees to eliminate certain reconciliation instructions contained in the House-adopted budget resolution to the Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans' Affairs, and Ways and Means Committees and to defer to a Senate amendment that would create a $396 billion Social Security Reserve Account for use in implementing future legislation to strengthen Social Security. Motion agreed to 399-22

Vote: Yea
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(128) H Con Res 141: Tax Code Overhaul - Adoption
April 10, 2003 - Thomas, R-Calif., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would express the sense of Congress in supporting a national debate on overhauling the nation's tax code and agree with a presidential economic report stating that making the code simpler, improving economic incentives, and reaching fairness should be key objectives. It also states that Congress will begin hearings on overhauling the code. Motion agreed to 424-0

Vote: Yea
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(139) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Consideration of Rule
April 11, 2003 - Adoption of the resolution (H Res 190) that would waive the two-thirds vote requirement for same day consideration of the rule (H Res 191) to provide for House floor consideration of the conference report on the concurrent resolution that would set broad spending and revenue targets over the next 10 years. Adopted 223-203

Vote: Yea
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(140) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Rule
April 11, 2003 - Adoption of the rule (H Res 191) to provide for House floor consideration of the conference report to the concurrent resolution that would set broad spending and revenue targets over the next 10 years. Adopted 221-202

Vote: Yea
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(141) H Con Res 95: Fiscal 2004 Budget Resolution - Conference Report
April 11, 2003 - Adoption of the conference report on the concurrent resolution that would set broad spending and revenue targets over the next 10 years. The agreement would allow a tax cut of up to $550 billion to be protected by reconciliation rules. Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 216-211

Vote: Yea

Business, Trade, and Consumer Affairs
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(98) HR 522: Deposit Insurance - Passage
April 02, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would make several changes to the federal deposit insurance system including increasing from $100,000 to $130,000 the maximum account deposit covered through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and adjusting that amount for inflation. Certain retirement accounts such as individual 401(k) plans would be insured for up to twice that amount. The bill would merge the insurance funds for banks and savings associations, and give the FDIC more leeway in setting premiums and reserved levels. Passed 411-11

Vote: Yea
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(116) HR 205: Small Business Assistance - Passage
April 08, 2003 - Manzullo, R-Ill., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would require the Small Business Administration to coordinate with Small Business Development Centers to provide additional information and assistance to help small businesses comply with federal and state regulations. Motion agreed to 417-4

Vote: Yea

Congress and Federal Elections
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(147) H Con Res 156: Capitol Police Tribute - Adoption
April 29, 2003 - Linder, R-Ga., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would honor the U.S. Capitol Police on its 175th anniversary and express thanks to police employees and families especially to the late Christopher Eney, Jacob J. Chestnut, and John Michael Gibson, who died in the line of duty. Motion agreed to 409-0

Vote: Yea

Crime, Drugs and Judicial Affairs
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(120) HR 1036: Gun Liability - Prior Conviction
April 09, 2003 - Scott, D-Va., amendment that would strike a provision that would require a prior criminal conviction against a person who transferred a firearm knowing that it would be used to commit a crime before a plaintiff could bring a civil lawsuit against that individual. Rejected 148-278

Vote: Nay
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(121) HR 1036: Gun Liability - Drug User Exception
April 09, 2003 - Linda T. Sanchez, D-Calif., amendment that would allow liability lawsuits against manufacturers and sellers who sell or transfer guns or ammunition to an individual who uses, or is addicted to drugs, or who has been adjudicated a "mental defective." Rejected 134-289

Vote: Yea
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(122) HR 1036: Gun Liability - Negligence Lawsuits
April 09, 2003 - Meehan, D-Mass., amendment that would permit plaintiffs to bring negligence actions against firearms manufacturers, sellers and trade associations. Rejected 144-280

Vote: Yea
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(123) HR 1036: Gun Liability - Recommit
April 09, 2003 - Watt, D-N.C., motion to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to strike language that would make the measure apply immediately to any pending cases. Motion rejected 140-282

Vote: Nay
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(124) HR 1036: Gun Liability - Passage
April 09, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would block liability lawsuits against gunmakers and sellers based on the criminal misuse of firearms. It also would block such actions against gun trade organizations and against ammunition makers and sellers. The measure would apply immediately to any pending cases. Several specific exceptions to the ban exist and include allowing civil suits against a maker or seller who "knowingly and willfully violated" state or federal laws in selling or marketing a weapon. Design and manufacturing defect lawsuits also would be allowed when weapons are "used as intended." Passed 285-140

Vote: Nay
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(127) S 151: Protections for Children - Conference Report
April 10, 2003 - Adoption of the conference report on the bill that would appoint a national coordinator for AMBER alerts, an alert system for missing children, provide additional protections for children and establish stricter punishments for sex offenders. Two-time child sex offenders would be subject to mandatory life sentences. The measure would make it a crime to pander visual depictions of children as child pornography. It would increase maximum sentences for several specified crimes against children and make it a crime to travel to foreign countries and engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. It also would expand law enforcement's wiretap and electronic surveillance capabilities in investigations of child pornography. Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 400-25

Vote: Yea

Defense and National Security
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(97) H Con Res 109: Blue Star Banner - Adoption
April 01, 2003 - Gibbons, R-Nev., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that calls on all Americans to honor the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families and encourages families to display the Blue Star Banner or the Gold Star, and calls on the media to recognize the importance and symbolism of the Blue Star Banner. Motion agreed to 418-0

Vote: Yea
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(125) H Res 170: Tribute to Submarine Crews - Adoption
April 09, 2003 - Bradley, R-N.H., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would remember the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher, the first nuclear submarine lost at sea, on the 40th anniversary of its sinking. Motion agreed to 423-0

Vote: Yea

Education
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(96) HR 1412: Financial Aid for Military Students - Passage
April 01, 2003 - Kline, R-Minn., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would grant the Education Department authority to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to federal student financial aid programs in order to assist students whose lives are disrupted by being called to serve in the U.S. armed forces. Motion agreed to 421-1

Vote: Yea
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(110) H Res 127: Youths and Money - Adoption
April 07, 2003 - Thomas M. Davis III, R-Va., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would express the sense of the House in support of increasing awareness among students about the importance of understanding personal finances. Motion agreed to 380-1

Vote: Yea
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(146) H Res 204: Charter Schools Tribute - Adoption
April 29, 2003 - Porter, R-Nev., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would pay tribute to charter schools, support the fourth annual National Charter Schools Week, and express the sense of the House urging the president to issue a proclamation calling for individuals to mark the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Motion agreed to 403-0

Vote: Yea
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(149) HR 1350: Special Education Reauthorization - Rule
April 30, 2003 - Adoption of the resolution (H Res 206) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Adopted 211-195

Vote: Yea
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(150) HR 1350: Special Education Reauthorization - Paperwork Reduction Recommendations
April 30, 2003 - Vitter, R-La., amendment that would mandate that a General Accounting Office (GAO) review of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act include recommendations to reduce paperwork requirements for teachers. It also would require a GAO report on the review every two years after the bill's enactment. Adopted 413-0

Vote: Yea
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(151) HR 1350: Special Education Reauthorization - Attendance at Private Schools
April 30, 2003 - DeMint, R-S.C., amendment that would allow states to use federal funds to set up programs for children with disabilities to attend private schools. Rejected 182-240

Vote: Yea
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(152) HR 1350: Special Education Reauthorization - Certificates for Private School Students
April 30, 2003 - Musgrave, R-Colo., amendment that would let school districts give the parents of disabled children in private schools a certificate that could be used for their child's specific education needs. Rejected 176-247

Vote: Nay
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(153) HR 1350: Special Education Reauthorization - Definition of Learning Disability
April 30, 2003 - Tancredo, R-Colo., amendment that would define "specific learning disability" as a disorder resulting from a medically detectable and diagnosable psychological condition relying on physical and scientific evidence. Rejected 54-367

Vote: Nay
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(154) HR 1350: Special Education Reauthorization - Passage
April 30, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It would authorize federal per pupil spending for special education equal to 40 percent of the average cost of educating a student in the United States. The authorized funding level would be phased in by 2010. The bill also would allow school administrators to discipline special education students the same as non-disabled students. Paperwork requirements would be reduced for special education teachers and additional restrictions would be placed on lawsuits by parents against school districts. It also would provide new measures aimed at reducing the number of children who are mislabeled as learning disabled including the elimination of the use of the IQ test, which measures the difference between intelligence and achievement. Passed 251-171

Vote: Yea

Enviornment, Energy, Science and Technology
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(113) HR 273: Nutria Eradication - Passage
April 08, 2003 - Gilchrest, R-Md., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would authorize $6 million annually over the next five years for programs in Maryland and Louisiana to eradicate nutria and to restore damaged marshland. Motion agreed to 385-30

Vote: Yea
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(130) HR 6: Energy Plan - Previous Question
April 10, 2003 - Hastings, R-Wash., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the resolution (H Res 189) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would overhaul the nation's energy policies through changes in such areas as production, conservation, taxes and research. Motion agreed to 226-202

Vote: Yea
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(131) HR 6: Energy Plan - Rule
April 10, 2003 - Adoption of the resolution (H Res 189) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would overhaul the nation's energy policies through changes in such areas as production, conservation, taxes and research. Adopted 236-190

Vote: Yea
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(132) HR 6: Energy Plan - Oil Consumption
April 10, 2003 - Boehlert, R-N.Y., amendment that would require the Transportation Department to ensure that the total amount of gas consumed by cars and light trucks in 2010 be 5 percent less than allowed under average fuel economy standards for 2004. Rejected 162-268

Vote: Yea
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(133) HR 6: Energy Plan - Alternative Electricity Provisions
April 10, 2003 - Dingell, D-Mich., amendment that would strike the bill's electricity regulation provisions and insert language that would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sweeping anti-fraud authority for electricity and natural gas markets. It also would require the reporting of price quotes and transactions involving electricity and gas sales and transmission, increase civil and criminal penalties, and authorize FERC to retroactively refund electricity overcharges. Rejected 193-237

Vote: Yea
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(134) HR 6: Energy Plan - ANWR Limit
April 10, 2003 - Wilson, R-N.M., amendment that would limit to 2,000 acres the maximum surface area that could be used by oil production facilities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Adopted 226-202

Vote: Nay
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(135) HR 6: Energy Plan - ANWR Drilling
April 10, 2003 - Markey, D-Mass., amendment that would delete language authorizing the Interior Department to grant oil and gas drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Rejected 197-228

Vote: Yea
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(136) HR 6: Energy Plan - Federal Contracts
April 10, 2003 - Thomas M. Davis III, R-Va., amendment that would clarify that federal procurement and contracting reports should be submitted to all relevant congressional committees. It also would require studies on the conservation benefits of telecommuting by federal employees and on the benefits of establishing performance measures to guide the reduction of petroleum consumption by federal fleets. Adopted 415-10

Vote: Yea
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(137) HR 6: Energy Plan - Gas Reserves
April 10, 2003 - Brown, D-Ohio, amendment that would authorize a Gasoline Availability Stabilization Reserve program similar to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Three reserves would be established within two years of enactment and two additional reserves could be established anytime within the program's six-year authorization. Rejected 173-252

Vote: Nay
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(138) HR 6: Energy Plan - Uranium Mining
April 10, 2003 - Udall, D-N.M., amendment that would eliminate an authorization of $10 million annually for three years to improve leaching uranium mining techniques. Rejected 193-231

Vote: Yea
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(142) HR 6: Energy Plan - Royalty Payments
April 11, 2003 - Kind, D-Wis., amendment that would strike provisions that reduce royalty payments on oil and gas leases. Rejected 171-251

Vote: Yea
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(143) HR 6: Energy Plan - Coal Leases
April 11, 2003 - Rahall, D-W.Va., amendment that would strike a provision that would eliminate the 160-acre limit on coal leases. Rejected 208-212

Vote: Yea
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(144) HR 6: Energy Plan - Recommit
April 11, 2003 - Dingell, D-Mich., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee with instructions to add new language on mandatory condition and fishway alternatives related to hydroelectric energy projects. It also would require new data collection procedures for hydroelectric licenses. Motion rejected 171-250

Vote: Nay
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(145) HR 6: Energy Plan - Passage
April 11, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would overhaul the nation's energy policies through changes in such areas as production, conservation, taxes and research. The bill would restructure the electricity system, allow oil and gas leasing in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and provide $18.7 billion in tax breaks over 11 years for energy production, conservation and alternative fuels. It also would block tax breaks for corporations that relocate offshore. Passed 247-175

Vote: Nay

Executive Branch, Federal Buildings, and District of Columbia
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(109) HR 1055: Roswell Beck Post Office - Passage
April 07, 2003 - Thomas M. Davis III, R-Va., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would name a post office in Florence, South Carolina, after Dr. Roswell N. Beck. Motion agreed to 383-0

Vote: Yea
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(111) HR 1368: Norman Shumway Post Office - Passage
April 07, 2003 - Thomas M. Davis III, R-Va., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would name a post office in Stockton, Calif., after former Rep. Norman David Shumway, R-Calif., (1979-91). Motion agreed to 380-0

Vote: Yea
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(115) S 380: Postal Service Retirement - Passage
April 08, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would alter the formula used to determine the size of annual payments the Postal Service makes to the civil service pension fund. The Postal Service would be required to use the same formula for payments to the Civil Service Retirement System that it currently uses to determine payments to the Federal Employee Retirement System. Savings that result from the change through fiscal 2005 would go toward lowering the service's debt to the U.S. Treasury. A portion of the savings in fiscal 2005 also would go toward maintaining current postage rates. Passed 424-0

Vote: Yea

Foreign Affairs
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(117) H Res 179: Democracy in Cuba - Adoption
April 08, 2003 - Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would condemn the crackdown by the government of Cuba on pro-democracy efforts, urge the release of all Cuban political prisoners, and support fundamental political and civil liberties for the Cuban people. It would call for a resolution by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights condemning the crackdown and urge commission members to oppose a renewal of Cuba's membership on the international panel until it meets international human rights standards. Motion agreed to 414-0

Vote: Yea
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(118) HR 1584: Conflict Diamonds - Passage
April 08, 2003 - Crane, R-Ill., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would require the president to prohibit the import or export into the United States of any rough diamonds that have not been certified as not originating from areas where the diamond trade either finances or creates violent conflict. The president could waive the requirement under certain circumstances. Any person or corporate agent who willfully violates the prohibition could be fined up to $50,000 and imprisoned up to 10 years. Motion agreed to 419-2

Vote: Yea
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(126) H Res 149: Zoran Djindjic Tribute - Adoption
April 09, 2003 - Bereuter, R-Neb., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would offer condolences to the family of Zoran Djindjic, the late Serbian prime minister. It also would recognize that organized crime threatens reform efforts in Serbia and expresses the sense of the House in support of continued democratization efforts in that country. Motion agreed to 425-1

Vote: Yea
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(129) H Res 165: Peace in Cyprus - Adoption
April 10, 2003 - Bereuter, R-Neb., motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that would express the sense of the House in appreciation of the U.N. secretary general's efforts to negotiate peace in Cyprus between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. It would express disappointment that the secretary's settlement plan was rejected and express continued congressional support for reaching peace. Motion agreed to 422-0

Vote: Yea

Labor and Retirement
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(112) HR 1559: Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental - Motion to Instruct
April 08, 2003 - Obey, D-Wis., motion to instruct House conferees to insist on section 409 in the Senate-passed bill that would provide displaced airline workers another 26 weeks of temporary unemployment benefits. Motion agreed to 265-150

Vote: Yea

War on Terror
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(103) HR 1559: Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental - Previous Question
April 03, 2003 - Myrick, R-N.C., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the resolution (H Res 172) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would provide $77.9 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations in fiscal 2003. Motion agreed to 221-200

Vote: Yea
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(104) HR 1559: Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental - Ruling of the Chair
April 03, 2003 - Motion to sustain the ruling of the chair upholding the Young, R-Fla., point of order against the Obey, D-Wis., amendment that would add $2.5 billion for homeland security, including $800 million for first responder grants, $250 million for port security grants, and $150 million for research to develop capabilities against chemical weapons. Motion agreed to 217-195

Vote: Yea
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(105) HR 1559: Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental - Aid to Turkey
April 03, 2003 - Cunningham, R-Calif., amendment that would strike language that would provide $1 billion in assistance to Turkey. Rejected 110-315.

Vote: Nay
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(106) HR 1559: Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental - Counter-Drug Activity
April 03, 2003 - McGovern, D-Mass., amendment that would decrease funding for counter-drug activities in Latin America, including Colombia, by $61 million. It also would increase funding for the Office for Domestic Preparedness by $34 million. Rejected 209-216

Vote: Yea
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(107) HR 1559: Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental - Aid to Turkey
April 03, 2003 - DeFazio, D-Ore., amendment that would reduce economic assistance to Turkey by $207 million and redirect the funds to establish a National Guard weapons of mass destruction civil support team. Rejected 113-312

Vote: Nay
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(108) HR 1559: Fiscal 2003 War Supplemental - Passage
April 03, 2003 - Passage of the bill that would provide $77.9 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations in fiscal 2003, including $62.5 billion for military operations in Iraq and the war on terrorism; $4.2 billion for homeland security, $8 billion in aid to allies and for Iraqi relief and reconstruction; $3.2 billion for U.S. airlines to cover increased security costs; and $1 billion in aid to Turkey. Passed 414-12

Vote: Yea


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