Here’s how the lawmakers who represent Centre County in Congress voted Oct. 1-7
Here’s a look at how members of Congress who represent the area voted over the previous week.
HOUSE
SURFACE TRANSPORT PROGRAMS: The House has passed the Surface Transportation Extension Act (HR 5434), sponsored by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. The bill would authorize, through Oct. 31, programs operated by the Transportation Department that are funded by the highway trust fund. DeFazio said the extension was vital because authorization had expired at the close of September. The vote, on Oct. 1, was 365 yeas to 51 nays.
YEAS: Reps. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township, and Fred Keller, R-Kreamer
SENATE
HOMELAND SECURITY: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jonathan Meyer to serve as general counsel for the Homeland Security Department. From 1999 to 2016, Meyer was a lawyer at Homeland Security, the Justice Department and in the Senate; since 2016, he has been a private practice lawyer. A supporter, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said Meyer “has demonstrated that he understands the complex legal issues facing DHS and the importance of ensuring that the department cooperates with congressional oversight.” The vote, on Oct. 4, was 51 yeas to 47 nays.
YEAS: Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; NAYS: Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Paloma Adams-Allen to serve as deputy administrator of management and resources at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Adams-Allen has been a official at the agency, specializing in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as an adviser at the Organization of American States. A supporter, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., called Adams-Allen “a dedicated public servant who has spent her entire career focusing on international development and eliminating global poverty.” The vote, on Oct. 5, was 79 yeas to 20 nays.
YEAS: Casey and Toomey
WASHINGTON DISTRICT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lauren King to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. King has been a private practice lawyer in the state since 2008, with a specialty in American Indian tribal law. A supporter, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said: “I firmly believe Ms. King has the experience, knowledge and perspective required to serve on our federal judiciary with distinction.” The vote, on Oct. 5, was 55 yeas to 44 nays.
YEAS: Casey; NAYS: Toomey
CONNECTICUT DISTRICT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Sarah Merriam to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for Connecticut. Merriam has been a federal magistrate judge since 2015 and previously was a public defender in Connecticut’s federal courts. A supporter, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited “the widespread respect she has earned for her skill, qualifications, temperament and fidelity to the rule of law.” The vote, on Oct. 6, was 54 yeas to 46 nays.
YEAS: Casey; NAYS: Toomey
DEBT CEILING: The Senate has passed an amendment to a bill (S 1301) that would suspend the federal government’s debt ceiling through Dec. 3. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the suspension would allow time for Congress to work on “a long-term solution to the debt limit to make sure financial markets remain stable and our economic recovery stays on track.” An opponent, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said there needed to be a constraint on debt increases because the debt burden had already reached excessive levels, with corresponding hazards to the economy and inflation. The vote, on Oct. 7, was 50 yeas to 48 nays.
YEAS: Casey; NAYS: Toomey