WASHINGTON – This is how members of Congress voted on important issues during the Legislative Week ending May 14th.
HOUSE
Procedure against debt collection agencies: By voting 215-207, the House passed a law (HR 2547) on May 13th banning abusive practices by private companies collecting debts from consumers, student loan borrowers and anyone else seriously in arrears. In part, the bill would require a two-year grace period before medical debt collection efforts can begin, and would allow co-signers and student loan borrowers to settle debts based on a complete and permanent disability. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate. Rep. Mike KellyR-15th Dist .: No. Rep. Glenn ThompsonR-15th Dist .: No.
Workplace accommodation for pregnancy: With the vote 315-101, the House passed a law (HR 1065) on May 14, according to which private companies and government agencies with at least 15 employees must provide workers and applicants who are pregnant or have recently given birth with adequate workplace accommodation. The bill would not oblige employers to create accommodations that place undue burden on their business. GOP critics said it offered insufficient protection to religious organizations. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate. Kelly: No. Thompson: Didn’t vote.
SENATE
Repeal Banking Rule for Trump Administration: By voting 52-47 on May 11, the Senate overturned a six-month-old Trump administrative rule that made it easier for state-regulated predatory lenders to forge short-term alliances with national banks and federal savings banks to avoid state banking regulations including usury rules to limit bankruptcies Interest rates. The federal institutions involved in such agreements are not subject to state regulations. The Office of the Currency Verifier published the rule on October 30, 2020. Yes, the rule was annulled. Senator Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa .: Yes. Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pa .: No.
Andrea Palm, Deputy Minister of Health: By voting 61-37 on May 11, the Senate confirmed Andrea J. Palm, 47, as deputy secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services. Palm was a senior HHS official and adviser to the White House as well as during the Obama administration. She worked under Hillary Clinton when she represented New York in the Senate. Palm most recently served as secretary and agent for the Wisconsin Department of Health. A yes vote should confirm the candidate. Casey: Yes. Toomey: No.
Cindy Marten, Deputy Minister of Education: With a vote between 54 and 44, the Senate confirmed Cindy M. Marten as Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education on May 11. From 2013 to 2021 she was Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. A former class teacher and principal, Marten is a literacy specialist who served as president of the San Diego Council of Literacy Professionals. A yes vote should confirm the candidate. Casey: Yes. Toomey: No.
IMPORTANT VOTES AHEAD
The House will include bills to combat hate crimes against Americans from Asia and set up a commission to investigate the January 6th attack on the US Capitol in the week of May 17, while the Senate will vote on candidates for the Biden administration .
Voterama in Congress
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