Congress Votes

WASHINGTON — Here’s a look at how Georgia’s members of Congress voted over the previous week.

Along with roll call votes this week, the Senate also passed these measures: the National Fossil Act (S. 3574) to designate the mastodon as the national fossil of the U.S.; a bill (S. 4610) to designate the bald eagle as the national bird; the NAPA Reauthorization Act (S. 133) to extend the National Alzheimer’s Project; and a resolution (S. Res. 778) acknowledging the courage and sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam War and expressing regret for the mistreatment of veterans returning home from the war.

There were no key votes in the House this week.

SENATE VOTES:

TAX COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Adam Landy to be a judge on the U.S. Tax Court for a 15-year term. A special trial judge on the court for three years, Landy had been a senior attorney at the Internal Revenue Service for five years previously. The vote, on July 29, was 73 yeas to 13 nays.

YEAS: Ossoff D-GA

NOT VOTING: Warnock D-GA

SOCIAL MEDIA AND CHILDREN: The Senate has concurred in the House amendment to the Kids Online Safety Act (S. 2073) sponsored by Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga. The bill would enact a variety of measures to restrict how social media and other Internet companies use children’s data and market to children. A supporter, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the bill “gives young people and parents the tools and safeguards to take back control over their online lives.” The vote, on July 30, was 91 yeas to 3 nays.

YEAS: Ossoff D-GA, Warnock D-GA

MAINE JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Stacey Neumann to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Maine. A private practice lawyer in Portland since 2013, Neumann was previously an assistant U.S. attorney in the Maine district. A supporter, Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, said Neumann “possesses the integrity, intellect, and impartiality to serve in this critical position.” The vote, on July 30, was 50 yeas to 43 nays.

NOT VOTING: Ossoff D-GA, Warnock D-GA

NEW YORK JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Meredith Vacca to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. Vacca was a county attorney in Rochester for more than a decade before, in 2021, becoming a county judge then, in 2023, also being named an acting Supreme Court justice for New York. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Vacca “has developed a rare institutional knowledge of our state’s and country’s laws, and will bring tremendous legal expertise and experience to the Western District bench.” The vote, on July 31, was 50 yeas to 41 nays.

YEAS: Ossoff D-GA, Warnock D-GA

PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Joseph Saporito Jr. to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Saporito was a private practice lawyer for three decades then, in 2015, was named a magistrate judge for the Middle District. The vote, on July 31, was 53 yeas to 39 nays.

YEAS: Ossoff D-GA, Warnock D-GA

DIPLOMAT TO U.N.: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dorothy Shea to be the deputy U.S. representative to the United Nations. Shea was U.S. ambassador to Lebanon from March 2020 to late 2023. Previously, she was a diplomat to various Middle East countries, including as deputy chief of mission in Egypt. A supporter, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., said: “From advancing the peace process in the Middle East and Sudan, to revitalizing the global humanitarian system, to implementing institutional reforms at the United Nations, she will work to find solutions to our global challenges.” The vote, on Aug. 1, was 59 yeas to 34 nays.

YEAS: Ossoff D-GA, Warnock D-GA

CHANGING TAX MEASURES: The Senate has rejected a cloture motion to end debate on the American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024) sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo. The bill would, among its provisions, increase the child tax credit for parents, increase the housing tax credit for low-income adults, and increase the independent contractor tax reporting income threshold to $1,000. A supporter, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said of the bill: “Let’s help the kids and the families. Let’s help the small businesses. Let’s help those who need housing. Let’s be there for those who face disasters.”  The vote, on Aug. 1, was 48 yeas to 44 nays, with a three-fifths majority needed to end debate.

YEAS: Ossoff D-GA, Warnock D-GA

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