Today in the U.S. House of Representatives
The House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business with first/last votes expected at 10 a.m.
To be considered pursuant to a rule:
- H.R. 9495, Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act [Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN), Rep. Bradley Scott Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)], This bill postpones certain tax filing deadlines for U.S. nationals and their spouses who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad. It also allows for a refund and abatement of tax penalties and fines paid by detained individuals. The bill terminates the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations.
To be considered under Suspension of Rules:
- H. Res. 915, Urging the Government of Ukraine to review and modify its decision to suspend adoption by foreign nationals with a view to resuming such adoptions, particularly in cases where the mutual concerns of the Governments of Ukraine and of the United States can be substantially addressed [Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) +37 co-sponsors], This resolution urges Ukraine to resume allowing certain U.S. citizens to adopt and to receive pre-adoptive placements of Ukrainian children. Specifically, the resolution:
- recommends Ukraine consider, as particularly urgent, cases where prospective U.S. parents have completed Ukraine's adoption process and received approval prior to the suspension of adoptions by non-Ukrainians on March 13, 2022;
- recommends that, in cases where Ukrainian children had already been placed in hosting programs, prospective U.S. parents be allowed to initiate the adoption process; and
- recommends that prospective U.S. parents be allowed to apply to receive, in a pre-adoptive placement, Ukrainian children that previously participated in hosting programs and that have an uncertain legal status regarding adoption.
Yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives
On Wednesday, the House convened at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
3 Recorded Votes Were Taken and 9 Bills Were Considered
- Passed (335-37) a 2/3 Yea-and-Nay On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 3012, North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023 [Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)], This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 various activities to promote human rights in North Korea. These activities include (1) providing grants to nonprofit organizations to promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) increasing the availability of sources of information inside North Korea that are not controlled by North Korea's government; and (3) supporting organizations that provide humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of North Korea's government.
- All 37 'Nay' votes were cast by Republicans.
- 23 Republicans and 37 Democrats did not vote.
- Passed (334-63) a 2/3 Yea-and-Nay On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 8368, Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts Authorization Act of 2024 [Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)], This bill requires the Department of State to appoint a Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts to be responsible for (1) relocating and resettling eligible Afghan allies, (2) facilitating the departure from Afghanistan of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who request assistance, and (3) ensuring integrated support for such efforts within the State Department and across the federal government. The bill authorizes the coordinator to hire temporary personnel who are U.S. Citizens, to enter into personal services contracts, and to extend and maintain personal services contracts previously entered into under a separate authority. The provisions of the bill expire three years after enactment.
- 62 Republicans and 1 Democrat, Maxine Waters (surprisingly), voted 'Nay'.
- 12 Republicans and 23 Democrats did not vote.
- Passed (388-21) a 2/3 Yea-and-Nay On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 1449, Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism [Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC)], This resolution condemns the rise of antisemitism around the world and encourages greater international cooperation to counter antisemitism. The resolution also welcomes the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism (an international framework launched in July 2024 that includes policies to monitor and combat antisemitism) and calls upon states and international bodies to embrace these guidelines. [Editor's Note -- It appears our Representatives have voted away our First Amendment rights and no one will call them out on it.]
- 18 Republicans and 3 Democrats (Bush, Tlaib, and Omar of "The Squad") voted 'Nay'.
- 8 Republicans and 15 Democrats did not vote.
Legislative Business Conducted Without Recorded Vote
- Agreed to by voice vote - H. Res. 554, Affirming the nature and importance of the support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq, as amended [Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)], This resolution affirms that the fundamental human right and dignity of the religious and ethnic minority communities of Iraq should be a policy priority of the United States and the international community.
- Agreed to by voice vote - H. Res. 837, Reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines, as amended [Del. James C. Moylan (R-GU)], This resolution states that the House of Representatives reaffirms the United States commitment to invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty if Philippine assets are attacked in the South China Sea. The resolution also calls on the United States and the Philippines to begin joint patrols in the South China Sea, objects to Chinese sovereignty claims to the South China Sea, and welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (a 2014 agreement enabling the U.S. and Philippine militaries to train together, respond to humanitarian crises, and modernize military capabilities).
- Agreed to by voice vote - H. Res. 1328, Recognizing the actions of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias in the Darfur region of Sudan against non-Arab ethnic communities as acts of genocide [Rep. John James (R-MI)], This resolution condemns atrocities being committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias against the Masalit people and other non-Arab ethnic groups in the Darfur region of Sudan. The resolution also (1) calls for an immediate end to all violence in Sudan; (2) urges the United States to take immediate action along with the international community to protect civilians in Sudan; and (3) supports international criminal investigations to hold the RSF and allied militias accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
- Considered as Privileged Matter, Agreed to Without Objection - H. Res. 1585, Electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives [Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA)], This Resolution elects Rep. Lee Carter of Texas to the House Judiciary Committee.
- Passed by voice vote - H.R. 8234, To authorize the Secretary of State to designate additional persons eligible to serve as passport acceptance agents, and for other purposes, as amended [Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL)], This bill authorizes the Department of State to expand certain passport application processing services and directs related changes. The bill requires the State Department to increase (1) the number of companies certified to provide expedited processing (formally known as hand-carry courier services) of passport applications, and (2) the daily maximum number of passport applications that passport offices may accept from certified passport expeditors. The bill also authorizes the State Department to designate notaries public, among others, as passport acceptance agents. Additionally, the bill provides that passports issued 180 days or more after the bill's enactment shall expire on the passport holder's birthday.