Departments

HOUSE VOTES
Worker Rights

CQ Vote #425
1. House Holds Minimum Wage Hostage
to Drastic Reduction in the Estate Tax

The UAW and the rest of the labor movement pressured the House to pass a long overdue increase in the minimum wage. At first, GOP leaders blocked the House from considering this issue. But when GOP moderates threatened to bolt, the GOP leaders hastily cobbled together an outrageous package linking a minimum wage increase to legislation that drastically scaled back the estate tax. This measure would have given huge tax breaks to a tiny number of the richest families in the nation. At the same time, because the bill nullified state laws protecting tipped workers, it would have resulted in a deep pay cut for thousands of minimum wage workers. The UAW strongly urged Representatives to oppose this outrageous legislative package. But in the end, the House passed this cynical political package by a vote of 230-180 (R 196-21; D 34-158; I 0-1). July 28.

Trade

CQ Vote #392
2. House Approves Oman Free Trade Deal.

The UAW and other unions and progressive groups opposed the Oman free trade deal because it did not contain meaningful protections for workers rights. Despite our opposition, the House approved this trade agreement by a vote of 221-205 (R 199-28; D 22-176; I 0-1). July 20.

Budget/Taxes

CQ Vote #4
3. House Adopts Budget Reconciliation
Spending Cuts

At the beginning of the Second Session of the 109th Congress, the House took up the conference report on the budget reconciliation spending bill that was carried over from the previous year. The UAW opposed this measure because it contained deep cuts in spending on Medicaid, student aid and child support programs, and SSI benefits. Despite our opposition, the House adopted this legislation by a vote of 216-214, thereby clearing it for the President to sign into law. (R 216-13; D 0-200; I 0-1). February 1.


CQ Vote #135
4. House Passes Budget Reconciliation Tax Cuts

After lengthy negotiations, GOP Congressional leaders reached agreement on a conference report on the budget reconciliation tax cut legislation. The UAW strongly opposed the core provisions in this bill which extended the lower tax rates on capital gains and dividends. This represented yet another huge tax cut for wealthy individuals. In our judgment, this was especially unfair and irresponsible, in light of the fact that GOP budget measures were also slashing spending on vital domestic programs. Despite our opposition, the House passed the conference report on the budget reconciliation tax cut legislation by a vote of 244-185 (R 229-2; D 15-182; I 0-1). May 10.

CQ Vote #158
5. House Approves New Budget Plan

The UAW opposed the new budget plan drafted by House GOP leaders for FY 2007 because it called for deep cuts in important domestic programs. After several failed attempts, the House finally approved this GOP budget plan by a vote of 218-210 (R 218-12; D 0-197; I 0-1). May 18.

Civil and Human Rights

CQ Vote #79
6. House Rejects Attack on Affirmative Action

During consideration of the higher education reauthorization legislation, Representative Steve King (R-IA) offered an amendment that would have required federally-funded colleges and universities to produce lengthy, complicated reports each year documenting racial and ethnic data on all their applicants. The UAW and our allies in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights strongly opposed this amendment because it represented a back door attempt to undermine affirmative action programs in college admissions. In particular, we were concerned that the severe administrative burdens created by the amendment would have a tremendous chilling impact on the willingness of colleges and universities to adopt admissions programs that promote diversity. Fortunately, the House decisively rejected this amendment by a vote of 83-337 (R 83-142; D 1-193; I 0-1). March 30.

CQ Vote #370
7. House Defeats Attempt to Undermine Voting Rights Act

The UAW and our allies in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights strongly supported legislation to reauthorize and extend the Voting Rights Act (VRA) for another 25 years. In particular, this bill extended Section 5 of the VRA, which requires states with a history of discrimination to get pre-clearance from the Justice Department before they can make any changes in their voting practices and procedures. During consideration of this legislation, Representative Norwood (R-GA) offered an amendment that would have changed the formula for determining which jurisdictions are covered by the Section 5 pre-clearance provisions, thereby undermining its effectiveness. The UAW and our civil rights allies vigorously opposed this gutting amendment, and it was defeated by a vote of 96-318 (R 95-124; D 1-193; I 0-1). July 13.

CQ Vote #372
8. House Rejects Effort to Eliminate Bilingual Voting Assistance

The legislation reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act (VRA) also extended section 203, which requires states to provide citizens who are non-native English speakers with equal access to voting without language barriers. Representative Steve King (R-IA) offered an amendment to strike this bilingual voting assistance provision. The UAW and our allies in the LCCR strongly opposed this amendment, and it was rejected by a vote of 185-238 (R 181-44; D 4-193; I 0-1). July 13.

CQ Vote #326
9. House Approves Increase in Funding for Legal Services for the Poor

The UAW continues to strongly support adequate funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which provides major funding for legal services programs across the country that give legal assistance to low income persons. We believe these programs are essential to ensure that all Americans have access to our civil justice system. In addition, the UAW represents many workers in the legal services programs. During consideration of the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill, the UAW supported an amendment by Representative Obey (D-WI) to add $25 million in funding for the LSC, and this amendment was approved by a vote of 237-185 (R 40-185; D 196-0; I 1-0). June 27.

Campaign Finance and Lobby Reforms

CQ Vote #88
10. House Passes Dangerous Campaign Finance Measure

House GOP leaders crafted a campaign finance bill that would eliminate the cap on expenditures that state and national party political committees may make in coordination with Congressional election campaign. This represented a back door means of eliminating the limits on what wealthy individuals may contribute to Congressional campaigns. In addition, this legislation included ambiguous and overly broad provisions dealing with so-called Section 527 groups that could have a negative impact on state and local election activities and issue oriented communications. The UAW and the rest of the labor movement opposed this dangerous campaign finance bill, but it was approved on a largely party line vote of 218-209 (R 211-18; D 7-190; I 0-1). April 5.

CQ Vote #119
11. House Adopts Weak
Lobby Reform Bill

In response to the various lobbying scandals, House GOP leaders crafted a weak bill that simply represented a fig leaf. Significantly, this measure did not contain any provisions to expand and strengthen revolving door prohibitions. It also did nothing to curb the use of corporate jets or to addresses abuses related to fundraising by lobbyists. The UAW opposed this woefully inadequate lobbying bill, and urged the House to adopt much tougher reforms. But the House approved the weak GOP bill by a vote of 217-213 (R209-20; D 8-192; I 0-1). May 3.



Click Here to See Your Region 8 Representative Voted

All information contained with the Region 8 Web Site is copyrighted© by UAW Region 8.
It cannot be reused or printed without written consent from UAW Region 8.