Congress Votes: Stronger Abortion, Exchange Rate Language Passed

After being relative inactive for a few weeks, Congress took up work on a variety of measures last week. Both the House and Senate passed trade agreements with three nations. The Senate also passed an exchange rate bill, while the House Republicans (and 15 Democrats) amended language in the health care bill regarding abortion.

Below are votes in Congress for House and Senate members representing Northwest Philadelphia.

United States House of Representatives
HR358: Approved Oct. 13 by a 251-171 vote, this measure amends language in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to further prevent federal funding to cover a health plan with abortion services.  Entitled the Protect Life Act, the bill makes stronger existing language—as federal funding for abortions is already banned by the law. It awaits Senate action.

• NO: Chaka Fattah (D-2nd)

Both the House and Senate approved free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea and Panama this week. The Senate passed the bills 66-33, 83-15, and 77-22, respectively. While the House voted 262-167, 278-151, and 300-129, respectively. All wait for the president's endorsement. Local legislators cast the same vote for each bill, except for the Panama bill, which Rep. Fattah approved.

• YES: Sen. Patrick Toomey (R). NO: Sen. Robert Casey (D), Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-2nd)

United States Senate S1619: The Senate passed a bill Oct. 11 to reform currency exchange rate policy. Approved 63-35, the bill requires the Treasury Secretary to report twice a year to Congress on the issue, in addition to empowering the secretary to take more decisive action against nations manipulating currency. It awaits House action.

• YES: Robert Casey (D) NO: Patrick Toomey (R)

The Senate resumes Monday, while floor action in the House of Representatives will begin Tuesday.