Bryan Watch: July 15-18

Let’s start out with the obvious vote of the week: Rep. Green’s attempt to impeach President Trump, which was tabled on a vote of 332 to 95. While a short term loss, there were some key votes in favor. Critically, the members of the House Judiciary Committee voted 16 to 8 against tabling. Whether this was because they wanted the issue in their committee or they genuinely felt Trump merited impeachment, it indicates there is a consensus on Judiciary that impeachment hearings are warranted. Key “No” votes include Chairman Jerrold Nadler and Vice Chair Marcia Scanlon.

Nadler is hoping to build a strong case against Trump in the Judiciary Committee. Based on the revelations about numerous crimes committed by Trump, ranging from obstruction of justice to forcible rape, there is ample ammunition for articles of impeachment.

Green’s motion to impeach was based on Trump’s racist comments regarding four freshmen Democratic women known as The Squad, in which he told them to “go back where you came from.” The House did vote to condemn Trump’s comments 240 to 187, with every Democrat, Justin Amash and four Republicans voting for it. For the record, the four Republicans were: Susan Brooks (Indiana), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Will Hurd (Texas) and Fred Upton (Michigan). Fitzpatrick, Hurd, and Upton have regularly voted against the agenda of the Trump administration this year (RC 482).

Also for the record, Rep. Steil and the vast majority of his Republican colleagues refused to condemn the overt racism of Trump. Steil and the Republicans also voted against the motion to proceed (RC 481, July 16), and voted to have the resolution regarding Trump’s racism stricken from the record (RC 480, July 16).

While Trump may have been celebrating the delay on impeachment, Wednesday brought more bad news for the White House. The House voted to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress for their refusal to comply with supboenas for testimony on the Census before the Oversight and Reform Committee (RC 489, July 17, Passed 230-198)

Minimum Wage Increase

Only in Trumplandia would the following not be the top story: Democrats passed a minimum wage increase through the house on July 18 (RC 496). Three Republicans joined them in favor and six Democrats voted against. For the record, the Republicans were Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Francis Rooney (FL) and Chris Smith (NJ).

The bill would increase the minimum wage in $1.10 increments over the next six years to reach a minimum wage of $15 by 2025. The minimum wage would increase to $8.40 this year, then $9.50—$10.60—$11.70—$12.80—$13.90 and $15.

The Republicans did try a poison pill motion to recommit in regarding small business (under 10 employees and sales under $1 million) but it failed 210 to 218 (Meuser motion to recommit, RC 495, July 18).

The only amendment was from Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), which would have the GAO report on the impact of the minimum wage increase two years after its implementation to see if Congress should continue with minimum wage increases (presumably in 2021 or 2022). In his only break with Republicans this week, Steil voted for the O’Halleran amendment (RC 494).

Steil and every other Republican voted against consideration of the bill for increasing the minimum wage [HR 582] (RC 484 and 485, July 17).

Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, Republicans, including Steil, voted against consideration of HR 3494, regarding measures on arms sales under the Arms Export Control Act (RC 478 and 479).

The Trump administration, in its usual lawless fashion, is seeking to bypass Congress to send weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for use in their war against Yemen. Rather than seeking to resolve this humanitarian crisis, Trump is throwing gasoline on the fire. To add insult to injury, the Trump administration is seeking to send US manufacturing jobs overseas to Saudi Arabia.

On July 17, Congress sought to block these weapons sales, specifically related to Paveway IV precision guided bombs and related components. Only four Republicans voted to constrain the illegal actions of the Trump administration: Mike Gallagher (Wisconsin), Trey Hollingsworth (Indiana), Thomas Massie (Kentucky), and Alexander Mooney (WV) (Votes: RC 486, 487 and 488).

Since all three resolutions have already passed the Senate (Thanks to Lindsey Graham (SC), Jerry Moran (KS), Rand Paul (KY) and Todd Young (IN)), the bills head to Trump, who will almost certainly veto this attempt by Congress to defuse the war in Yemen.

The rest of Tuesday saw three fairly non-controversial bills pass by wide margins. They were HR 2037, the Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act (RC 477, 405-0); H Res 432, which was on civilian government in Sudan (H Res 432, 414-1, Thomas Massie); and HR 2744, the USAID Branding Modernization Act (RC 475, 414-1).

While the appropriations bill for the intelligence community (HR 3494) passed by a wide margin (397-31) there were a couple of amendments to keep things interesting. Rep. Joseph Kennedy (MA) passed an amendment seeking an intelligence analysis of foreign influence in US elections, specifically targeted to Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China. Not surprisingly, Republicans voted against seeking to protect US elections from foreign interference (RC 491, July 17).

In the other amendment, Steve Chabot of Ohio attempted to eliminate the Climate Security Advisory Council, which would operate under the Director of National Intelligence. Republicans voted with Chabot 177 to 19. This was a vote in favor of climate denial, masked in the guise of finance (RC 490).

To prove that bi-partisan action is still possible, the House did vote to repeal the “Cadillac Tax” provisions of the Affordable Care Act by a vote of 419 to 6 on Wednesday. The purpose of the tax was to contain health care costs, but its effect has been to raise premium costs on most workers who receive employer based health care. Democrats and Republicans worked together to make health care more affordable—a refreshing change from most weeks (RC 493).

Scorecard for The Week: 20 Votes, 15 Party Line, 5 Non Party. Steil voted with Republicans 14 out of 15, 93 Percent. One Good Vote: RC 494