Bryanwatch: April 2022
Steil Against Helping Struggling Restaurants
A relatively slow start to April, with only 16 votes cast. Seven were party line and nine were non-party line. Steil voted with the sensible majority of all the non-party-line votes.
The major piece of legislation the House passed was HR 3807, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act (RC 123, April 7). Steil and almost every other Republican voted against the bill, which seeks to provide an additional $42 billion in grants for small businesses such as restaurants and entertainment venues which have been impacted by the pandemic.
Republicans also voted to send HR 3807 back to the Committee on Small Business (Van Duyne motion to recommit, RC 122, April 7) and as usual, voted against even considering the bill giving relief to small businesses (RC 119 and 120, April 6)
The other party line votes dealt with the committee investigating the events of January 6, 2021. H Res 1037 sought to place Peter Navarro (economic advisor to Donald Trump) and Daniel Scavino (Director of Social Media and Deputy Chief of Staff) in contempt of Congress for their refusal to testify before the January 6 Committee. In a shameless kow-tow to Donald Trump, the only two Republicans to vote in favor were Lynne Cheney and Daniel Kinzinger, the two Republicans on the January 6 Committee. (RC 118, April 6)
Republicans also voted to kill the Report (House Report 117-284) that laid out the reasons that Navarro and Scavino should be charged with contempt. (RC 116 and 117, April 6)
NON PARTY LINE VOTES
Of the bills which passed on a non-partisan basis, the one with the most opposition was HR 4476, the DHS Trade and Economic Security Council Act. The bill does what it says, creates an council to advise the Department of Homeland Security. 68 Republicans voted against, 135 were in favor. Seven members of the Squad were also against (RC 112, April 5)
H Res 831 supports the founding principles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and supports creating a Center for Democratic Resilience at NATO. 63 Republicans (perhaps we can call them the Putin Caucus?) voted against, with 143 in favor (RC 115, April 5)
And 41 Republicans voted against HR 5689, the Resilient AMERICA Act. The bill seeks to revise and update hazard mitigation rules for FEMA. A majority of Republicans (163), including Steil, voted for these sensible changes. (RC 113, April 5)
CRAZY CAUCUS
And now we get into the territory I like to call the Crazy Caucus, bills which passed by 400 plus to less than 20. And there were actually six of them in early April.
HR 5641, the SPEED recovery act, raises the threshold amount for projects under the Robert T Stafford Disaster Relief Act, which should allow local communities to recover from natural disasters more quickly. 11 Republicans were against helping citizens harmed by natural disasters (RC 114, April 5)
HR 1218, the Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act, which requires the FCC to include data about maternal health in its health mapping tools. 11 Republicans voted against seeking to improve the health of mothers (RC 110, April 5)
Three bills dealt with the current war in the Ukraine. The first, HR 7276, Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act, requires the Biden administration to collect and provide evidence of war crimes by Russia in the Ukraine. Seven Republican members sided with Vladimir Putin against exposing war crimes: Andy Biggs (AZ), Lynn Cheney (WY), Warren Davidson (OH), Paul Gosar (AZ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Tom Massie (KY) and Scott Perry (PA).
The second Russia-related bill was HR 6968, Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act, which passed 413 to 9. Once again, the usual suspects, Biggs, Gosar, Greene, Massie and Chip Roy (TX) sided with Russia (RC 125, April 7)
Third was HR 7108, Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act, which passed 420 to 3. The three voting against were Matt Gaetz (FL), MT Greene (GA) and Massie (KY). (RC 124, April 7)
Finally, there is HR 2501, the Spectrum Coordination Act, which seeks to create cooperation between the two federal agencies (FCC and NTIA) which regulate the country’s radio and television airwaves. Not surprisingly, there was a great deal of confusion over these issues during the Trump administration. The bill passed 418 to 6, with only a few members of the Crazy Caucus against it (RC 111, April 5)
SCORECARD
Total Votes: 16 - Party Line: 7 - Non Party Line: 9
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Ultra-Orthodox Fury Over Military Enlistment Turns Deadly in Israel
Tensions surrounding military enlistment in Israel have erupted into deadly violence, exposing one of the country’s deepest and most persistent social divides. At the heart of the crisis lies a long-standing exemption that allows many ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, known as Haredim, to avoid compulsory military service in order to pursue full-time religious studies. As Israel faces prolonged security challenges and an overstretched army, efforts to enforce broader enlistment have ignited anger, protests, and, most recently, fatal clashes. A Longstanding Divide in Israeli Society Military service is a defining institution in Israel. For most Jewish citizens, compulsory enlistment is seen not only as a legal duty but as a moral obligation tied to national survival. However, since the country’s founding, ultra-Orthodox communities have largely been exempt, based on the belief that Torah study contributes spiritually to the defense of the state. Over time, this arrangement has become increasingly controversial. The ultra-Orthodox population has grown rapidly and now represents a significant portion of Israeli society. Many secular and religious-Zionist Israelis argue that the exemption places an unfair burden on those who serve, particularly during times of heightened conflict. Calls for equality in service have intensified as reserve soldiers are repeatedly mobilized and casualties mount. Renewed Push for Enlistment Recent court rulings and political pressure have pushed the government to reconsider blanket exemptions. Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that prolonged unequal treatment in enlistment is unconstitutional, forcing lawmakers to draft new policies. As a result, authorities began issuing draft notices to ultra-Orthodox men who had previously been shielded from service. This shift was perceived by many Haredi leaders as an existential threat to their way of life. They argue that military service undermines religious devotion, exposes young men to secular influences, and weakens tightly knit religious communities. Influential rabbis urged followers to resist enlistment, framing the issue as a spiritual battle rather than a civic dispute. Protests Turn Violent What began as demonstrations quickly escalated. Large crowds of ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered in several cities, blocking roads, clashing with police, and setting fires. Tensions reached a breaking point when confrontations turned deadly, with reports of serious injuries and at least one fatality linked to the unrest. The violence shocked the nation. While protests against enlistment are not new, the deadly outcome marked a dramatic escalation. Security forces responded with riot control measures, arrests, and road closures, further inflaming tempers within already volatile communities. Political Fallout and Public Anger The deadly clashes have placed immense pressure on Israel’s political leadership. Coalition governments often rely on ultra-Orthodox parties for parliamentary support, making decisive action politically risky. Critics accuse leaders of prioritizing coalition survival over national unity and equality. Public anger has surged, particularly among families of soldiers currently serving. Many argue that continued exemptions erode social cohesion and undermine trust in state institutions. Social media and opinion columns are filled with calls for universal service, while others warn that forcing enlistment could tear the social fabric even further. The Ultra-Orthodox Perspective From within the Haredi community, the crisis is viewed very differently. Many see state enforcement as persecution of religious life. Community leaders insist that Torah study is a sacred duty equal to military defense, and they reject narratives portraying them as unwilling to contribute to society. Some ultra-Orthodox citizens do serve in specialized military units designed to accommodate religious practices, but these programs have not been widely embraced. Skepticism remains high, fueled by fears of cultural erosion and loss of autonomy. A Nation at a Crossroads The deadly turn in protests underscores how unresolved the enlistment issue remains. Israel is grappling with fundamental questions: How can it balance religious freedom with civic equality? Can a society under constant security threat afford exemptions for a growing population? And is compromise still possible after violence has entered the equation? Experts warn that without meaningful dialogue, the situation could worsen. Some propose alternative national service options for ultra-Orthodox men, while others advocate gradual integration rather than abrupt enforcement. Trust-building measures, they argue, are essential to prevent further bloodshed. Conclusion The deadly unrest over military enlistment is more than a policy dispute—it is a reflection of Israel’s struggle to reconcile tradition, security, and equality in a rapidly changing society. As the nation mourns the loss of life and confronts rising divisions, the challenge ahead is clear. Finding a solution that respects religious identity while ensuring shared responsibility may be one of Israel’s most critical tests yet. The outcome will shape not only the future of military service, but the cohesion and character of the country itself.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 6 days ago in The Swamp
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