This is a 100% volunteer effort brought to you by a handful of progressive Democrats and Independents who share a vision of an informed electorate.  Thank you to the Demcast and Pennsylvania Indivisible organizations who host our report and help us share it with Commonwealth residents!

Indivisible Scorecard

The Indivisible movement is focused on four key principles – equality, justice, compassion and inclusion. Accordingly, we score legislation that reflects those values:

• Ballot access, voting rights, campaign finance and ethics
• Civil rights, equality under the law and addressing systemic inequities
• Reinforcing and strengthening democratic norms, processes, and oversight
• Addressing economic inequality

As the Build Back Better Act was punted, we did not score any votes this week.

Lawmaker	Score	Change from last score
🔵 Senator Bob Casey	100.0%	No change
🔴 Senator Pat Toomey	21.7%	No change
🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick	43.1%	No change
🔵 PA-02’s Rep. Brendan Boyle	100.0%	No change
🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans	100.0%	No change
🔵 PA-04’s Rep. Madeleine Dean	100.0%	No change
🔵 PA-05’s Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon	100.0%	No change
🔵 PA-06’s Rep. Chrissy Houlahan	100.0%	No change
🔵 PA-07’s Rep. Susan Wild	100.0%	No change
🔵 PA-08’s Rep. Matt Cartwright	100.0%	No change
🔴 PA-09’s Rep. Dan Meuser	3.2%	No change
🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry	0.0%	No change
🔴 PA-11’s Rep. Lloyd Smucker	7.7%	No change
🔴 PA-12’s Rep. Fred Keller	3.1%	No change
🔴 PA-13’s Rep. John Joyce	3.1%	No change
🔴 PA-14’s Rep. Guy Reschenthaler	3.1%	No change
🔴 PA-15’s Rep. Glenn W. Thompson	7.9%	No change
🔴 PA-16’s Rep. Mike Kelly	3.1%	No change
🔵 PA-17’s Rep. Conor Lamb	100.0%	No change
🔵 PA-18’s Rep. Mike Doyle	100.0%	No change

Votes of Interest

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passes the House… 

House Vote on H.R. 3684: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The following items made it into the hard infrastructure bill that passed the House late on Friday night, according to coverage in CNN:

• Total spending – $1.2 trillion, including “$550 billion of new federal investments in America’s infrastructure over five years” 
• $110 billion for roads, bridges and major infrastructure projects
• $40 billion for bridge repair, replacement and rehabilitation
• $11 billion for transportation safety
• $1 billion “to reconnect communities — mainly disproportionately Black neighborhoods — that were divided by highways and other infrastructure”
• $39 billion to modernize public transit
• $66 billion in passenger and freight rail
• $12 billion “in partnership grants for intercity rail service, including high-speed rail”
• $65 billion towards improvements in broadband
• $17 billion in port infrastructure
• $25 billion in airports
• $7.5 billion for zero- and low-emission buses and ferries
• $7.5 billion “would go to building a nationwide network of plug-in electric vehicle chargers”
• $65 billion to rebuild the electric grid
• $55 billion to upgrade water infrastructure
• $50 billion towards systems resiliency
• $21 billion to clean up Superfund sites

Vote date: Friday, November 5, 2021 Vote Tally: 228-206

Party Breakdown: Most Democrats supported this bill (215 YES – 6 NO); while most Republicans opposed it (13 YES – 200 NO). 

The six Democrats who opposed this bill for not doing enough and not getting its vote alongside the Build Back Better Act are Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Minnesota, Ilhan Omar of Michigan, Cori Bush of Missouri, Jamaal Bowman of New York and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. 

The thirteen Republicans who voted YES on this infrastructure package are Don Young of Alaska, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Jeff VanDrew of New Jersey, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Andrew Gabardino of New York, Nicole Malliotakis of New York, Tom Reed of New York, John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, David McKimley of West Virginia and 

🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

Additional Reading:

• “House passes $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes transport, broadband and utility funding, sends it to Biden,” from CNBC
• “Here’s what’s in the bipartisan infrastructure bill,” from CNN Politics
• “‘A monumental step forward’: Biden hails House passage of $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill,” from USA Today

While the Build Back Better Might Get to Reconciliation, Someday…  

House Vote on Agreeing to the Resolution: H RES 774 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5376 – Build Back Better Act) to provide for reconciliation

This is difficult to report on, because the Office of the House Clerk has not yet registered H.Res. 774 onto the Congressional website (Congress.gov). In addition to that, most news coverage on the House infrastructure vote was about the hard infrastructure bill, with scant references to what, in terms of a delay, was agreed to in this resolution. The most information to be found came from the New York Times (emphasis below added by MoCTrack):

Facing pushback by conservative-leaning members in their ranks, Democratic leaders put their $1.85 trillion social policy, climate and tax package on hold on Friday, instead moving toward a vote on a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package.

The retreat came after centrist Democrats balked at supporting the social policy plan without a formal estimate of its cost and economic impact. Hoping to convey movement toward approving it, House leaders said they would hold a procedural vote that would allow consideration of the measure sometime in the future, with hopes of passing it by Thanksgiving.

But the delay was a setback for President Biden and Democratic congressional leaders, who had hoped to pass both measures on Friday…

Once we have actual text to read, we can provide an update in the next MoCTrack about this resolution.

Vote date: Saturday, November 6, 2021 (12:37AM) Vote Tally: 221-213Party Breakdown: This was a party line vote, with Democrats voting YES and Republicans voting NO.

And the House GOP tried to Derail BOTH

House Vote on a Motion to Adjourn at 3:15 PM on Friday, November 5th

This is just a petty bit of business. While the House was working through the details of lining up the infrastructure votes, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) moved that the whole business be adjourned and everyone should go home.  Or, put another way, a Republican House member tried to delay the process further by asking that there be no more votes that day (at 3:15 PM – wouldn’t we all like to be let out that early on a Friday). That, in and of itself, is not shocking.  Other lawmakers like Marjorie Taylor Greene have made these motions to adjourn a habit.  What is a cause for head shaking is that every single Republican – including those that went on to support the infrastructure bill, like 🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

 – went along and voted to pack it all in early, before the infrastructure votes took place.

The snippet below is from Friday’s Congressional Record and it is a textbook example of a delay tactic: 

Vote date: Friday, November 5, 2021 Vote Tally: 228-206

Party Breakdown: This was a party line vote. All Republicans voted to go home (YES) and all Democrats voted to stay at work (NO).

The Senate GOP Filibusters Voting Rights, Again 

Senate Vote on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Proceed to S. 4:John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to bring up the John Lewis Voting Rights Act for a vote in the Senate, again.  And again the GOP filibustered the bill, refusing to even debate the bill. A tiny bt of progress was made, as this attempt garnered exactly ONE GOP vote (Lisa Murkowski of Alaska) as opposed to the shutout in the attempt two weeks ago. But since there would need to be 10 Republicans to defeat a filibuster, this progress is not really worth much.

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 50-49 (failed)

Party Breakdown: All Republicans except Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted to filibuster the bill.  All Democrats and Independents except for Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer voted to move the bill forward for debate. Please visit our recap of the last time S. 4 was filibustered where we explain why the Senate Majority leader would vote against his own bill to preserve his ability to bring it to the floor again.

Additional Reading:

• “Senate Dems push new voting bill, and again hit GOP wall,” from the Associated Press
• “Senate Republicans again block key voting rights bill,” from The Guardian
• “Voting legislation blocked — again — in Senate as Republicans unite for filibuster,” from NBC News

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted NO

The House Strengthens Protections Against Age Discrimination

House Vote on H.R. 3992: POJA (Protect Older Job Applicants) Act of 2021

From the Library of Congress summary of the bill: “This bill prohibits employers from limiting, segregating, or classifying job applicants based on an applicant’s age.” There was no actual debate on the bill, per the info provided in the Congressional Record for November 4th, so it is unclear why most GOP House members objected to this bill, other than the basic maxim that they abhor any infringements on an employer’s right to do precisely what they choose.

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 224-200

Party Breakdown: All Democrats voted for this measure. They were joined by seven Republicans, including 🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. The other 200 Republicans voted against this measure.

Additional Reading:

• “House Votes to Protect Older Job Applicants From Discrimination,” from the AARP
• “Assistant Speaker Clark Lauds Passage of Protect Older Job Applicants Act,” from the Framingham Source

Judicial Confirmations

Editor’s Note: There is very little information about judicial nominees/confirmed judges that cannot be found in the recaps provided by the most excellent source, The Vetting Room. MoCTrack will be relying solely on their content for most judicial confirmation recaps from now on.

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Senate Confirmation Vote on Beth Robinson to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit

Key quotes from The Vetting Room profile of Beth Robinson:

• “A pioneer in shaping the litigation and legislative strategy behind same-sex marriage, Beth Robinson made history in 2011 as the first openly LGBT Justice on the Vermont Supreme Court.”
• “Beth Robinson graduated from Dartmouth College in 1986 and the University of Chicago Law School in 1989. After graduating, Robinson clerked for Judge David Sentelle on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and then joined the D.C. Office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as an associate. In 1993, Robinson joined Langrock Sperry & Wool in Vermont. In 2010, newly elected Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin chose Robinson to be his counsel. A year later, Shumlin named Robinson to the Vermont Supreme Court, where she currently serves.”
• “Robinson has served on the Vermont Supreme Court for the past decade. Her record on the bench is generally liberal but within the Court’s mainstream.”

Vote date: Monday, November 1, 2021 Vote Tally: 51-45

Party Breakdown: All of the Democrats and Independents voted YES along with two Republicans – Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. The other 45 Republicans voted NO.

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted NO

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Senate Confirmation Vote on Toby J. Heytens to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit

Key quotes from The Vetting Room profile of Toby Heytens:

• “Toby Jay Heytens received a B.A. from Macalester College in 1997, where he was on the mock trial team, Seth Hattena, Mock Trial Judges College Students, Telegraph Herald, Dec. 2, 1995, and a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School in 2000. After graduating, Heytens clerked for Chief Judge Edward Becker on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and then for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court”
• “Heytens joined the D.C. office of O’Melveny & Myers as an Associate. Heytens left to become a professor at Cornell Law School, and then, in 2006, at the University of Virginia Law School, where he stayed until 2018 (notwithstanding a three year leave of absence to work in the U.S. Solicitor General’s Office). In 2018, Attorney General Mark Herring named Heytens to be Virginia’s Solicitor General, and Heytens has served in that role since.”
• “Virginia Solicitor General Toby Heytens, nominated for the Fourth Circuit, is, in many ways, a liberal counterpart to President Trump’s most notable appellate nominees: young; impeccably credentialed; and politically active.”

Vote date: Monday, November 1, 2021 Vote Tally: 53-43

Party Breakdown: All of the Democrats and Independents voted YES, and they were joined by four Republicans –  Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Susan Collins of Maine and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.  The other 43 Republicans voted NO..

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted NO

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Senate Discharge Motion Vote on Jennifer Sung, of Oregon, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit

Another week, another discharge motion…. The once rare process – a full Senate vote to decide if a nomination can be pushed out of a stalled and tied committee, has been used now for the 11th time during this 117th Congress, because of the 50-50 Senate. Vice President Kamala Harris was required to cast the tie breaking vote. There is no doubt that Jennifer Sung will be confirmed in the coming weeks, and at that time we’ll visit her Vetting Room profile to provide info about her voluminous qualification for this seat on the Appeals Courts.

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 50-49

Party Breakdown: This was a party line vote, and the Vice President broke the tie.

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted NO

Bureaucratic Confirmations

Editor’s note: Confirmations of lower level bureaucrats are not often covered in the media, so we are left with only press releases and less reliable sources for information. Where possible, we will use the White House or departmental releases for information about these new administration team members.

Treasury, Legislative Affairs 

Senate Confirmation Vote on Jonathan Davidson to be Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury, for Legislative Affairs

From the White House press release issued upon the nomination of Jonathan Davidson:

“Jonathan Davidson has worked on Capitol Hill for more than two decades. He has served as Senator Michael Bennet’s Chief of Staff since 2011. Previous to that, he served as Chief of Staff to Senator Paul Sarbanes and Representative John Sarbanes, and Chief Counsel to Senator Mark Warner. During the transition, Davidson served as the Biden-Harris Transition’s Economic Nominations Confirmation team lead. Davidson is also an Adjunct Professor at American University’s School of Public Policy, periodically teaching a class on the Legislative Process. Davidson clerked for Judge William Sessions, Chief Judge of the Federal District Court of Vermont. Jonathan is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Georgetown University Law Center.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 88-10

Party Breakdown: All of the Democrats and Independents voted YES along with 38 Republicans. As one might expect, the 10 NO votes came from Republicans who are pro-insurrectionist (like Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas) and the 2024 presidential hopefuls (like Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rick Scott of Florida). 

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted YES

Treasury, Economic Policy

Senate Confirmation Vote on Benjamin Harris to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, for Economic Policy

From the White House press release issued upon the nomination of Benjamin Harris:

“Ben Harris was a research associate professor and Executive Director at the Kellogg Public-Private Interface at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Harris also served as the chief economist with Results for America and the senior economic advisor to the Biden Campaign. During the Obama-Biden Administration, Harris was the chief economist and economic adviser to Vice President Biden and a senior economist with the Council of Economic Advisers. Harris has held research positions at several think tanks, including the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute. He holds a PhD in economics from George Washington University, masters’ degrees from Cornell and Columbia Universities, and a BA from Tufts University. He was also a Fulbright Scholar to Namibia.”

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 78-21

Party Breakdown: All of the Independents and Democrats were joined by 28 Republicans in voting YES.  The remaining 21 Republicans voted NO.

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted YES

US Agency for International Development   

Senate Confirmation Vote on Isobel Coleman to be a Deputy Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

From the White House press release issued upon the nomination of Isobel Coleman:

“Ambassador Isobel Coleman is a foreign policy and global development expert with more than 25 years of experience working in government, the private sector and non-profits.  Most recently, she served on the Biden Transition Team, leading the review of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. From 2014-2017, she was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations for Management, Reform and Special Political Affairs.  During that time, she represented the United States in the UN General Assembly on budgetary matters and in the UN Security Council on Africa and peacekeeping issues. From 2018-2020, she was the Chief Operating Officer of GiveDirectly, an international non-profit tackling poverty by providing unconditional cash transfers to the extreme poor.

Previously, Dr. Coleman spent more than a decade as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations where she directed CFR’s Women and Foreign Policy program and wrote extensively about global development and the advantages of women’s empowerment. Her writings have appeared in many publications, including The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The New York Times and The Washington Post. She is the author and co-author of numerous books including Pathways to Freedom: Political and Economic Lessons from Democratic Transitions (Council on Foreign Relations, 2013), and Paradise Beneath Her Feet: How Women are Transforming the Middle East (Random House, 2010). She graduated from Princeton University and earned MPhil and DPhil degrees in International Relations from Oxford University, which she attended on a Marshall Scholarship. She started her career at McKinsey & Co. in New York, becoming a partner in the firm’s financial institutions group.”

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 59-39

Party Breakdown: Ten Republicans voted YES alongside the Democrats and Independents. All 39 NO votes were placed by Republicans.

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted YES

Labor, Policy  

Senate Confirmation Vote on Rajesh D. Nayak to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor

From the White House press release issued upon the nomination of Rajesh Nayak:

“Rajesh D. Nayak is currently serving as a Senior Advisor at the United States Department of Labor. He previously spent seven years at the labor department in the Obama-Biden Administration, serving in a range of senior roles including senior counsel and deputy assistant secretary for policy. Later, as deputy chief of staff, Nayak advised the Secretary of Labor on the Department’s workforce development, worker protection, and counter-trafficking programs, and led the Department’s employee engagement efforts. After his time in the Obama-Biden Administration, Nayak’s work included two-plus years as the Deputy Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project, where he helped to lead the organization’s restructuring and managed its senior leadership. Most recently, he has also been a Fellow at the Labor & Worklife Program at Harvard Law School and a consultant. Prior to his government service, Nayak worked as an attorney at NELP, the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, and the Shriver Center in Chicago. He earned an undergraduate degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Yale. Nayak grew up in South Central Illinois and now lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife, daughter, and son.”

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 52-45

Party Breakdown: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah were the only three Republicans to support this nominee, along with all of the Democrats and Independents.  The 45 NO votes were all placed by Republicans.

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted NO

Environmental Protection Agency 

Senate Confirmation Vote on Jeffrey M. Prieto to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

From the White House press release issued upon the nomination of Jeffrey Prieto:

“Jeffrey Prieto is the General Counsel of the Los Angeles Community College District. His prior federal government service includes nearly 20 years across various agencies. Prieto began his Federal career as a White House Fellow assigned to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. He then served as an Attorney-Advisor at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water. While at EPA, he was a member of the Phase II NPDES Storm Water team. He also served as a Trial Attorney, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Executive Officer, and General Counsel in the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). He was lead counsel on a number of cases while at ENRD, including some of the Division’s highest-profile matters. Prieto served as the Chair of ENRD’s Diversity Committee Working Group and as Co-Chair of the ENRD’s Environmental Justice Plan implementation.

Under the Obama-Biden administration, he served as the Senate confirmed General Counsel of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He was responsible for providing legal advice and services to the Secretary of Agriculture and to all other officials and agencies with respect to all USDA programs, operations, and activities. He was involved in all major USDA litigation, including class action matters, high-profile investigations, and major legislation.

Prior to his federal service, Prieto worked as environmental planner for a California municipality. Following his federal tenure, he has continued his public service as the general counsel of the largest community college district in the nation. Prieto earned a BA in history from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, and a Masters in Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University. Prieto is a native Californian and lives in Los Angeles with his wife.”

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 54-44

Party Breakdown: All of the Democrats and Independents voted YES, and they were joined by five Republicans – Susan Collins of Maine, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Kevin Kramer of North Dakota and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee.  The 44 NO votes were all placed by Republicans.

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted NO

Defense, Army Civil Works   

Senate Confirmation Vote on Michael Lee Connor to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army, for Civil Works

From the White House press release issued upon the nomination of Michael Lee Connor:

“Michael Connor is currently a partner in the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP.  The majority of Mr. Connor’s career has been in the public sector, most recently serving in the Obama Administration as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior from 2014 until 2017. As Deputy Secretary, Connor was a key leader in implementing the Administration’s priorities for the Department, including establishing water policies and strategies to address an unprecedented Western drought; promoting renewable energy development on public lands and the outer continental shelf; developing science-based strategies to support landscape-level management of public lands; and taking actions to improve the federal government’s fulfillment of its trust responsibility to Native Americans.  Prior to serving as Deputy Secretary, Connor served as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation from 2009 to 2014 where he led efforts to integrate climate science and resilience actions into water resource management. He also forged major Indian water rights settlements and led the Department of the Interior’s negotiations to complete two major binational agreements with Mexico on the Colorado River.

From 2001 until 2009, Connor served as Counsel to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and previously served in the Department of the Interior in the Solicitor’s Office, and then as Director of the Secretary’s Indian Water Rights Office.  Connor received his J.D. from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University.  A long-time New Mexican, he is an enrolled member of the Taos Pueblo and now resides with his family in Denver, Colorado.” 

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 92-5

Party Breakdown: All 5 of the NO votes on this nominee were placed by Republicans – Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas.  The remainder of the Senate voted YES.

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted YES

Commerce, Census 

Senate Confirmation Vote on Robert Luis Santos to be Director of the Census for a term expiring December 31, 2026

From the White House press release issued upon the nomination of Robert Luis Santos:

“Robert Santos is Vice President & Chief Methodologist at the Urban Institute, Washington, DC. He is an expert in survey sampling, survey design and more generally in social science/policy research, with over 40 years of experience. His career includes: Director of Survey Operations, Survey Research Center, University of Michigan; VP Statistics and Methodology, NORC University of Chicago; and Senior Study Director at ISR Temple University.  Santos is the 116th President of the American Statistical Association (ASA), serving in 2021. He is an elected ASA Fellow and a recipient of the ASA Founder’s Award, the association’s highest recognition for distinguished service and leadership. He is past President of the American Association for Public Opinion Research and an elected member of the International Statistical Institute. Santos has served on numerous National Academies’ panels, the Census Advisory Committee for Professional Organizations (2001-2006), and the CDC National Center for Health Statistics’ Board of Scientific Counselors (2017-2020). He is a long time member of Feeding America’s Technical Advisory Group (2004-2021).

Santos was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where he attended Little Flower School and graduated from Holy Cross High School. He received a BA in Mathematics from Trinity University in San Antonio and a MA in Statistics from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, Adella, of 47 years. He is a proud father of two adult children, Emilio and Clarisa, and a doting grandfather to two granddaughters, Renee and Layla. Santos enjoys Texas coastal fishing, ranching and hunting in the hill country and photographing live music as a member of the SXSW Photocrew.

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 58-35

Party Breakdown: All of the Democrats and Independents voted YES, as did ten Republicans.  The 35 NO votes came from the remaining Republicans. 

Bob Casey voted YES
Pat Toomey voted YES

Votes under Suspension of the Rules 

Some bills are so uncontroversial that the leadership of both parties coordinate to bring the bills up under a suspension of the rules – that means that debate and amendment process is limited, but the bill needs a ⅔ supermajority to pass.  These 21 bills were brought up under a suspension of the rules this week.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 1619: Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill ratifies and confirms the actions of the Department of the Interior to take into trust approximately 17 acres of land in Cleveland County, North Carolina, for the benefit of the Catawba Indian Nation. The land is made part of the Catawba Reservation. The bill allows gaming on the land taken into trust for the tribe.”

Vote date: Monday, November 1, 2021 Vote Tally: 361-55

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 2758: Lumbee Recognition Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and makes its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized tribes… The Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services must develop, in consultation with the tribe, a determination of needs to provide the services for which members of the tribe are eligible. Interior may take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe.”

Vote date: Monday, November 1, 2021 Vote Tally: 357-59

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 1975: Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2021

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take approximately 721.12 acres of land in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, if the tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. The land is made part of the Pala Indian Reservation. The bill generally prohibits gaming on any of the land taken into trust.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 397-25

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 5221: Urban Indian Health Confer Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to confer with urban Indian organizations regarding health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas. Currently, only the Indian Health Service (IHS) is required to confer with urban Indian organizations on matters relating to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The bill requires HHS to ensure that the IHS and other agencies and offices within HHS confer with urban Indian organization on (1) matters relating to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and (2) other provisions of law relating to health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 406-17

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 3616: Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area, including areas in Utah and Idaho that are within the main drainage area of the Bear River, as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the Bear River National Heritage Area.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 399-23

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on S. 108: A bill to authorize the Seminole Tribe of Florida to lease or transfer certain land

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill allows the Seminole Tribe of Florida to lease, sell, convey, warrant, or transfer its real property that is not held in trust by the United States.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 425-2

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 4881: Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take tribally owned lands in Pima County, Arizona, into trust for the benefit of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona. Lands taken into trust shall be part of the Pascua Yaqui Reservation. The bill allows gaming on the land taken into trust.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 375-45

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 2088: Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill takes specified lands and easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, into trust for the use and benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These lands include the Sequoyah Museum, the Chota Memorial, the Tanasi Memorial, and land to provide support for these properties and cultural programs… In addition, the bill outlines the TVA’s continuing responsibilities, including those related to environmental remediation. Finally, the bill prohibits gaming on these lands.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 407-16

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 3469: Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2021

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill provides statutory authority for the Boots to Business Program, which provides entrepreneurship training to individuals including veterans and active members of the Armed Forces, to be administered by the Small Business Administration.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 418-2

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 4256: Investing in Main Street Act of 2021

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill authorizes certain banking entities, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, to invest up to 15% of their capital and surplus in one or more small business investment companies (SBICs) or in any entity established to invest solely in SBICs.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 413-10

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-0-1, with 🔴 PA-09’s Rep. Dan Meuser not voting.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 3462: SBA Cyber Awareness Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to annually report specified information related to cybersecurity awareness. Such reports must provide (1) an assessment of the SBA’s information technology (IT) and cybersecurity infrastructure, (2) a strategy to increase such infrastructure, (3) a detailed account of the SBA’s IT equipment that is manufactured by an entity that has its principal place of business in China, and (4) any SBA cybersecurity risk or incident that occurred during the two years prior to the report (including the SBA’s action to respond to or remediate it).”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 423-0

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 4481: Small Business 7(a) Loan Agent Transparency Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill provides oversight of 7(a) loan agents, including by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a registration system for such agents whereby certain data may be collected and by mandating that such agents register with the system and pay an annual registration fee. These agents provide referral and loan application services related to the SBA’s 7(a) Program. Under the 7(a) Program, the SBA guarantees up to 80% of a private lender’s loan to a small business borrower who cannot obtain credit elsewhere on reasonable terms and conditions.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 407-9

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 4531: 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to submit an annual report containing specified information related to 7(a) loan agents. These agents provide fee-based referral and loan application services related to the SBA’s 7(a) Program. Under the 7(a) Program, the SBA guarantees up to 80% of a private lender’s loan to a small business borrower who cannot obtain credit elsewhere on reasonable terms and conditions. The required report must include (1) the number and type of agents assisting applicants for 7(a) loans, (2) the number of fraudulent loans made for which an applicant used the services of a 7(a) agent, and (3) the number and aggregate dollar value of referral fees paid to 7(a) agents.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 411-9

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 4515: Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act of 2021

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill requires the Small Business Administration to establish a program for certifying at least 5 or 10% of the total number of employees of a small business development center to provide cybersecurity planning assistance to small businesses.”

Vote date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Vote Tally: 407-16

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on S. 1064: RENACER (Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform) Act

The Library of Congress bill summary is not yet available. This recap is from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Chair of that Committee, Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is the sponsor of this legislation.  “The legislation proposes new initiatives to monitor, report on, and address corruption by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s government and family, as well as human rights abuses perpetrated by Nicaraguan security forces. The RENACER Act also requires the United States government to increase sanctions on key actors in the Ortega regime that prevented democratic elections in Nicaragua, and expand sanctions coordination with Canada and the European Union. The bill also calls for the executive branch to open a formal review to determine whether Nicaragua should be allowed continued participation in the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Additionally, the bill requires increased intelligence reporting on Russian activities in Nicaragua and a review of Russian arms sales to Nicaragua for potential sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).”

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 387-35

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans voting NO.

❗❗❗NOTE We at MoCTrack reached out to Rep. Evans to get his feedback about his NO vote. He explained that he felt that this bill and the next one related to Cuba “were rushed through and they have unintended impacts on friendly NGOs and activists trying to make each country better.” He then went on to explain that “there is concern that the new oversight standards in this bill will make it harder to provide aid to public health and safety agencies which require limited government involvement.”  

Thanks for that feedback, Rep. Dwight Evans❗❗❗

🗳️ House Vote on H.Res. 760: Expressing solidarity with Cuban citizens demonstrating peacefully for fundamental freedoms, condemning the Cuban regime’s acts of repression, and calling for the immediate release of arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens.

The Library of Congress bill summary is not yet available. This measure seems to be a straightforward expression of “solidarity” with the people of Cuba who are moving towards democracy, but the context of this resolution matters.  It was not marked up in committee and instead went straight to the floor. There are several school of thought about Cuba, and this resolution is not in line with the pro-engagement steps that had been taken in the Obama administration, and then reversed in the Trump administration. 

Vote date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Vote Tally: 382-40

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 16-2 ,with 🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans and 🔵 PA-18’s Rep, Mike Doyle voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 1917: Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill makes an entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program eligible to receive such assistance for certain projects already in progress.”

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 409-16

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 2220: To amend title 40, United States Code, to modify the treatment of certain bargain-price options to purchase at less than fair market value

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill specifies that a bargain-price purchase option (i.e., the option to purchase property at less than fair market value) in a lease agreement for a federal building may be exercised only to the extent the option is specifically provided for in subsequent Acts of Congress. The bill applies to lease agreements that are entered into on or after January 1, 2021.”

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 416-4

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 3709: Preliminary Damage Assessment Improvement Act of 2021

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to (1) submit to Congress a report describing the preliminary damage assessment process, as carried out by FEMA in the five years before this bill’s enactment; and (2) convene an advisory panel to assist FEMA in improving critical components of that process.”

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 402-11

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation supported this bill unanimously.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 3193: E-BRIDGE Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to award economic development grants for public-private partnerships and certain consortiums to carry out specified broadband projects. Such projects shall be to provide, extend, expand, or improve high-speed broadband service through (1) planning, technical assistance, or training; (2) land acquisition or development; or (3) acquisition, construction, or improvement of facilities. Title to real or personal property acquired or improved with grant funds, or another acceptable possessory interest, must be vested in a public partner or eligible nonprofit organization or association for the useful life of the project. In addition, grant funds may be combined with amounts made available under any other federal program, and Commerce may provide credit toward the nonfederal share of a broadband project’s cost.”

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 410-16

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

🗳️ House Vote on H.R. 1339: Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act

From the Library of Congress bill summary: “This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) interagency working group to plan and coordinate efforts related to the safety, infrastructure, physical security, cybersecurity, and federal investment necessary to bolster the AAM ecosystem in the United States. Advanced Air Mobility refers to an air transportation system that moves people and cargo between places using new aircraft designs that are integrated into existing airspace operations as well as operated in local, regional, intraregional, rural, and urban environments.”

Vote date: Thursday, November 4, 2021 Vote Tally: 383-41

Pennsylvania breakdown: Our delegation voted 17-1, with 🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry voting NO.

Unanimously passed legislation

The following bills were passed through unanimous consent or voice vote (which presumes unanimity, as any member can object to the voice vote and ask for a roll call). This list excludes bills related to post offices, stamps, memorials, awareness weeks and other ceremonial activities.

• S.1064 – RENACER (Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform) Act  passed the Senate unanimously, then moved to a suspension of the rules vote in the House later in the week, with the vote recapped in the section above
• H.R.1510 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the use of cameras in medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs
• H.R.2093 – Veterans and Family Information Act
• H.Con.Res.44 – Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution

Quotes of Interest

Our MoCs discuss their infrastructure vote

🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, from his official website, 11/06/21:

“With the House passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we are one step closer to fixing our nation’s crumbling physical infrastructure. This is a victory for not only the people of Pennsylvania, but for the entire country. 

The federal government has created the crisis of deteriorating roads, defunct bridges, and vulnerable dams and levees through its inaction. These types of arteries are the lifeblood of American commerce and must be improved. America’s infrastructure has reached a breaking point, and this is a challenge we can no longer ignore. 

From the start, I have insisted on the passage of a hard infrastructure bill, delinked from any other partisan, social spending package. This bipartisan, physical infrastructure bill, which passed the Senate in August with strong Republican support, is entirely separate from the partisan reconciliation bill, which I oppose.

The bipartisan infrastructure package is completely paid for, primarily by unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and will create a dedicated funding stream for our nation’s infrastructure network. I look forward to the President signing this landmark physical infrastructure legislation into law, so that we can bring America’s infrastructure network into the 21st century, create jobs, and improve the health and safety of the American people.” 

🔵 PA-02’s Rep. Brendan Boyle, from his official website, 11/05/21:

“From my first day in Congress, I have been unwavering in my goal to pass an infrastructure bill for those in my district. Today, that goal became a reality and House Democrats delivered the progress we promised for working families in Pennsylvania, and communities across the nation. The IIJA invests in our country and in our people by creating good-paying union jobs, tackling the climate crisis, and growing the economy sustainably and equitably for decades to come.”

🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans, from his official website, 11/06/21:

“I’m happy to vote for this massive new investment in job-creating repairs and upgrades to our transit, roads, bridges, water, sewer and other systems. And I also look forward to passage of the Build Back Better Act, which would be a historic investment in making child care, housing and prescription drugs more affordable. It would also be a historic investment in fighting climate change and would continue the Biden expansion of the Child Tax Credit that I voted for, which is on track to cut child poverty in half.”

🔵 PA-04’s Rep. Madeleine Dean, @RepDean, 11/05/21:

“Delighted we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill—74% of Pennsylvanians support.

This will bring critical funding to our Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, clean water—and transform Montgomery and Berks Counties.

Eager to vote yes on @POTUS’ paid-for Build Back Better bill.”

🔵 PA-05’s Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, from her official website, 11/06/21:

“The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the largest investment in America’s infrastructure needs in generations, and it represents a massive victory for the American people. 

Communities across America have waited too long for meaningful investments in our infrastructure. I came to Congress to get things done for the residents of Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District, and I am thrilled to have been part of advancing this legislation, which will create economic opportunity for all in the 21st century and beyond. 

PA-05 is home to Philadelphia’s airport, port, and rail yard, dozens of miles of interstate highways and passenger rail lines, and regional commuter and light rail lines that link Philadelphia and its suburbs. Our infrastructure is aging, heavily used, and — in many cases —  beyond its usable lifespan. State and local authorities simply don’t have enough money to meet basic maintenance needs, much less to make investments in modernization, expansion, or other improvements. That is precisely why the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is so critical for my district.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will fix our ailing roads and bridges, rehab the electrical grid, expand broadband access, and give millions of Americans access to clean drinking water. The projects funded through this legislation will create good-paying jobs, pave the way for decades of economic growth and prosperity, and better position the United States for success within an increasingly competitive global economy. 

I proudly voted in favor of this bill so it can go to the president’s desk and be signed into law, but Congress’s job is not done. We must move with urgency to advance the other piece of President Biden’s economic agenda — the Build Back Better Act. 

I remain committed to making sure that we pass a meaningful reconciliation bill to meet the needs of American families. The Build Back Better Act takes on the biggest challenges facing working families today and levels the playing field by lowering the cost of child care, prescription drugs, health care, and preschool — and it gives families a tax cut.

In addition to the infrastructure vote, we continued to make progress on the Build Back Better Act this week. The House has spent many hours on markups, and we have now approved the rule that lays out our process for moving the Build Back Better Act forward. I am confident we will get this much-needed legislation over the finish line. The Build Back Better Act represents the most significant investment in children and caregiving in generations, the largest effort to combat climate change in U.S. history, the biggest expansion of affordable health care in a decade, and a major tax cut for the middle class. No Democrat in Congress wants to squander this opportunity — we are united in our desire to deliver for the American people. 

President Biden’s combined Build Back Better agenda offers the greatest potential for progress for American families in 50 years. We need both the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act to meet that potential and deliver life-changing benefits for every American. We must, and we will, get this done.”

🔵 PA-06’s Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, @RepHoulahan, 11/06/21:

“After a long night, we passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill 228-206.

My team sent me this picture. The symbolism of walking in the middle of our chamber is not lost on me—this is not a R or D issue.

Instead, this is a long-overdue, long-term investment for all Americans.”

🔵 PA-07’s Rep. Susan Wild, @RepSusanWild, 11/05/21:

“After a long night, I’m proud to have voted YES for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, an investment that will change the everyday lives of all Pennsylvanians.

… So, can I finally say it?

It’s infrastructure week.”

🔵 PA-08’s Rep. Matt Cartwright, from his official website, 11/05/21:

“This once in a century infrastructure investment will create good paying jobs and make us more competitive with every other country in the world. These investments will make it possible for us to put Northeastern Pennsylvania back on the passenger rail map, rebuild the roads and bridges that have been falling apart, bring high-speed broadband internet to every rural area, reclaim and revitalize all of our abandoned mine lands and so much more. After years of talk about passing an infrastructure bill, I’m proud to finally help deliver this investment in rebuilding and strengthening the foundations of our economy.”

🔴 PA-09’s Rep. Dan Meuser, from his official website, 11/06/21:

“After three months of delay on a Transportation and Infrastructure vote, in the final hours before voting on nearly 5,000 pages of legislation totaling $5 trillion in spending, progressive and moderate Democrats cut a deal. Moderates would vote for reconciliation, progressives would vote for T&I, and Republicans were not invited. As these two bills are inextricably linked, if T&I had been defeated, reconciliation would have likewise failed. I have strongly supported a standalone transportation, infrastructure, and revitalization bill for months and I worked hard with my colleagues on a bill that would benefit Pennsylvanians and the American people. I could not, however, support spending $5 trillion of taxpayer dollars when I support only the 20% dedicated to hard infrastructure and I believe most of the other 80% would be detrimental to our economy, national security, and global competitiveness. The American people don’t want us to make government bigger, they want us to make our country better.”

🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry, @RepScottPerry, 11/04/21:

“2,135 pages on a day’s notice, folks.  Gotta pass it to know what’s in it, right, Speaker Pelosi? The American People deserve better than this sham process. #ReconciliationBill #BuildBackBroke #BidensAmerica”

🔴 PA-11’s Rep. Lloyd Smucker, @RepSmucker, 11/05/21:

“Today was the most expensive day in House history.

It doesn’t matter what clever name Biden and Pelosi give their legislation. It’s all just lipstick on the pig that is their massive tax and spending spree. That means more fuel on the fire of inflation and an ever-gluttonous federal bureaucracy.”

🔴 PA-12’s Rep. Fred Keller, from his official website, 11/06/21:

“I voted no on Speaker Pelosi’s infrastructure bill last night because it does more to put our kids and grandkids into debt than it does to fix roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure that Pennsylvanians rely on.

“Less than half of this bill goes towards traditional infrastructure. Worse, it paves the way for Washington Democrats’ reconciliation package that includes socialist priorities like a natural gas tax, mass amnesty for illegal aliens, Green New Deal mandates, and 87,000 new IRS agents to spy on your bank accounts.

“Speaker Pelosi knows this and that’s why the vote happened in the cover of darkness while the American people were sleeping. Big government spending is out of control.”

🔴 PA-13’s Rep. John Joyce, from his official website, 11/02/21:

“We need to focus on regaining American energy independence. We need to focus on lowering energy costs before winter.  This inflation is NOT transitory, we CANNOT wish this problem away.  Passing the green new deal, dressed up as infrastructure legislation is not the answer to the problems we face.”

🔴 PA-14’s Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, from his official website, 11/06/21:

“Tonight’s vote was nothing more than an attempt by Speaker Pelosi to pave the way for Democrats’ socialist tax and spending spree that is estimated to cost as much as $3.98 trillion. While American families face record-high inflation rates and businesses can’t find workers, Democrats prioritize woke policies that will only make things worse.   

I strongly support investment in our nation’s physical infrastructure, including upgrading our aging locks and dams, and believe we must reform our burdensome permitting process. Unfortunately, it is shameful that Democrats used a bipartisan issue to advance their radical, socialist goals.” 

🔴 PA-15’s Rep. Glenn W. Thompson, from his official website, 11/05/21:

“There was an opportunity to come together and draft a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address America’s aging infrastructure. Rather, House Democrats boldly linked infrastructure to a spending bill that is full of budget gimmicks and will cost American taxpayers trillions of dollars. To add insult to injury, the bill fails to adequately address one of the most critical infrastructure needs, broadband connectivity. This is completely unacceptable and further reflects how out of touch Speaker Pelosi is with the concerns of everyday American families.”  

🔴 PA-16’s Rep. Mike Kelly, @MikeKellyPA, 11/05/21:

“This afternoon, I joined @TeamCavuto to discuss the ongoing infrastructure and social spending plans the U.S. House is debating. The Build Back Better agenda relies on $1.5 trillion in new taxes and another $3 trillion in new debt. And who foots the bill? The American taxpayer.”

🔵 PA-17’s Rep. Conor Lamb, @ConorLambPA, 11/06/21:

“In March, President Biden came to #PA17 & promised to pass a major infrastructure bill.

Last night we delivered.

Trump & others promised it but never delivered. We did the work & got it done.

Pittsburgh knows the difference.

For anyone worried about how the “process” looked: Tell a @LIUNA member that we’re bringing $13 BILLION back to PA for roads & bridges.

See how much they care about process.”

🔵 PA-18’s Rep. Mike Doyle, @USRepMikeDoyle, 11/03/21:

“People still need more affordable #Broadband #Internet, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need more reliable, renewable #electricity, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need #CleanWater, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need more affordable #HealthInsurance, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need safer, more efficient transportation, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need to curb the #ClimateCrisis, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need more good-paying #jobs, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need more affordable #ChildCare, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.

People still need more affordable #PrescriptionDrugs, so I’m still pushing to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act and #infrastructure bill.”

Senate Tweets

🔵 Senator Bob Casey, @SenBobCasey, 11/06/21:

“As I said during today’s congressional #COP26 panel, climate change is both a danger to our communities right now and the wellbeing of our children, our children’s children and beyond. We have a moral responsibility to act now. Not later — now.

Like President Biden, I believe taking decisive action on climate change will create millions of good-paying jobs, restore the health of our communities and cement the United States’ global leadership in clean energy technology. #COP26

That starts with the passage of the #BuildBackBetter Act so we can spur new energy technologies while boosting the competitiveness of existing industries like steel, cement and aluminum. It puts us on the path to a prosperous, net-zero future. #COP26”

🔴 Senator Pat Toomey, @SenToomey, 11/04/21:

“This latest overreach by the SEC dispenses with the fiction that its ESG regulatory campaign has anything to do with financial performance and investor demands.

Liberal activists and their corporate enablers should be careful what the wish for. It’s only a matter of time before conservative activists will start forcing businesses to take positions on significant social policy matters they care about, too.”

House Tweets

🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, @RepBrianFitz, 11/03/21:

“Today, I introduced the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, which would ban contributions and donations made by foreign nationals in state and local ballot initiatives and referendums. 

It’s time to put an end to this illicit practice to ensure that state and local elections are free from foreign influence and decided solely by American voters.”

🔵 PA-02’s Rep. Brendan Boyle, @CongBoyle, 11/04/21:

“Are you a caregiver of a child 17 and under in the City of Philadelphia?  If you meet eligibility, you could qualify for the advance Child Tax Credit. The deadline to sign up is Monday, November 15.

You can sign up by visiting http://getCTC.org/philly.

This benefit is one part of the American Rescue Plan that I voted for in Congress earlier this year.

The Child Tax Credit increased from $2,000 to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six. The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments, which began in July. Individuals can claim the other half when they file their 2021 income tax return.  

Those who have filed tax returns in 2019 or 2020, or signed up to receive the federal stimulus payments, will receive the payments automatically and do not need to take any action. Those who have not filed tax returns in the last two years because they have little to no income can sign up by visiting the website below.”

🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans, @RepDwightEvans, 11/03/21:

“As a longtime supporter of #LGBTQ rights, I applaud the Biden Justice Department’s action to reverse the last administration & enable equal Social Security survivor benefits for same-sex spouses and partners!”

🔵 PA-04’s Rep. Madeleine Dean, @RepDean, 11/03/21:

“They’ve [the Senate GOP] made their position clear.

And we must create a filibuster carve out to affirm the voting rights of Americans across this nation. 

Americans need us to take action — we can’t hide behind process.”

🔵 PA-05’s Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, @RepMGS, 11/03/21:

“What’s at stake as SCOTUS considers NYSRPA v. Bruen? 

The NRA wants to use this case to roll back common sense gun laws — background checks, restrictions on open carry in schools and elsewhere, regulations on assault weapons, and more. #GunLawsSaveLives”

🔵 PA-06’s Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, @RepHoulahan, 11/05/21:

“I want to make sure we don’t miss this good news:

We gained *531,000* jobs back this month—including 200,000 women joining the workforce—bringing unemployment to its lowest level since the pandemic began.

Make no mistake: America is getting back to work!”

🔵 PA-07’s Rep. Susan Wild, @RepSusanWild, 11/04/21:

“Veterans don’t stop serving their communities when they leave the military.

Over 2.5 million vet owned small businesses are proof of that.

This #VeteransSmallBusinessWeek, we celebrate these entrepreneurs and the enormous impact they have on our communities.”

🔵 PA-08’s Rep. Matt Cartwright, @RepCartwright, 11/05/21:

“We added 531,000 jobs in October and the unemployment rate fell to 4.6% — the lowest level since the beginning of the pandemic.

Our economic plans are working: More and more Americans are finding good-paying jobs and our economy is getting stronger!”

🔴 PA-09’s Rep. Dan Meuser, @RepMeuser, 11/05/21:

“America cannot afford the radical Left’s Build Back Better agenda. Main Street America will be forced to close their doors due to the unimaginable taxes that are ahead. #BuildBackBroke #NoScoreNoVote”

🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry does not use Twitter often these days, but he did post this on his Facebook presence on 11/06/21:

“GREAT NEWS — A federal appeals court issued a stay of President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private companies, citing “grave statutory and constitutional issues with the Mandate.” His mandate clearly exceeds his constitutional authority, and this is a great start to ending this abuse of power. 

#BIDENSAMERICA #mandate”

🔴 PA-11’s Rep. Lloyd Smucker, @RepSmucker, 11/03/21:

“Democrats’ solution to sinking of the Titanic? Bringing more water on board.”

🔴 PA-12’s Rep. Fred Keller, @RepFredKeller, 11/05/21:

“The Congressional Review Act allows us as members of Congress to keep the executive branch in check.

We’re standing up for all Americans in making sure their constitutional rights aren’t infringed upon by an overzealous executive.”

🔴 PA-13’s Rep. John Joyce, @RepJohnJoyce, 11/06/21:

“President Biden’s Afghanistan crisis has stranded Americans in a hostile nation and allowed our enemies a new safe haven. 

This failure of leadership puts lives at risk.”

🔴 PA-14’s Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, @GReschenthaler, 11/05/21:

“Rewarding illegal immigrants who willingly broke the law is absurd.

Paying them more than the families of our fallen service members is reprehensible. 

Proud to join @RepMcClintock’s effort as an original co-sponsor.”

🔴 PA-15’s Rep. Glenn W. Thompson, @CongressmanGT, 11/04/21:

“The @WhiteHouse continues to drag its feet on a common sense CDL program, which would ease our supply chain issues. Proud to join @RepDustyJohnson to demand action from @USDOT”

🔴 PA-16’s Rep. Mike Kelly, @MikeKellyPA, 11/04/21:

“The decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is a personal one, and shouldn’t be dictated by the Biden administration. The $14,000 fine *per violation* could destroy some companies. Personal liberty is one of the cornerstones of the Constitution.”

🔵 PA-17’s Rep. Conor Lamb, @RepConorLamb, 11/04/21:

“Our infrastructure challenges impact workers, businesses & communities. Today I joined the @USDOT & @RepAustinDavis for a discussion hosted by @GPghCC to talk about the need for Congress to pass real, meaningful infrastructure investments that will help #PA17 & the entire region.”

🔵 PA-18’s Rep. Mike Doyle, @USRepMikeDoyle, 11/05/21:

“The #BuildBackBetterAct will make the needed investments in #cleanenergy to ensure our planet doesn’t warm beyond 1.5 Degrees Celsius. #ActOnClimateNow”

Casey Quote of the Week 

Courtesy of contributor Linda Houk

On GOP messaging around Build Back Better

“Oh, I welcome that fight… They’re saying that we shouldn’t help families pay for child care and have more 3- and 4-year-olds go to pre-K? Please say that, Republicans. Please say that.”

—from an article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, titled “New issues added in budget bill rush; family leave, migrant work permits, tax break resurface in latest version”

Toomey Quote of the Week 

Courtesy of contributor Linda Houk

On Cryptocurrency rules

“I absolutely want to fix this.”

—from an article in Yahoo Finance, titled “Toomey vows fix to ‘badly flawed’ cryptocurrency broker plan in infrastructure bill”

Fitzpatrick in the News 

Research courtesy of contributor CC

All of this content is recycled press release material from Rep. Fitzpatrick’s website

“I am proud to join Congressman Brown in introducing this bipartisan legislation, which will increase safety and accountability in the aviation industry by requiring flight data and cockpit voice recorders on helicopters. Now is the time for Congress to close this dangerous regulatory loophole so that investigators have access to vital black box data in the wake of a tragic accident.” 

— from a Ripon Advance post titled “Fitzpatrick bill would strengthen helicopter safety measures” 

“The September 11th National Memorial Trail serves as a symbol of America’s resilience and ensures that we will forever remember the sacrifices made by the many heroes and innocent lives lost on 9/11. I applaud the Senate for passing our bipartisan legislation to designate the September 11th National Memorial Trail, and I look forward to the president signing this bill into law.”

— from a Ripon Advance post titled “Senate approves Fitzpatrick’s bill to establish 9/11 memorial route” 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed disparities within the continuum of mental health services across the country. It is past time we address our nation’s mental health crisis. That is why I am proud to support the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act, which will provide communities with the necessary tools to expand access to behavioral health crisis services for those who need it most.” 

— from a Ripon Advance post titled “Mental health crisis services expanded under Fitzpatrick, Herrera Beutler bill”

“Far too often pet owners are forced to choose between surrendering their beloved pet or securing safe and stable housing due to discriminatory breed-specific regulations. Breed-specific restrictions have consistently proven to be an ineffective solution to enhancing public safety. Our bipartisan legislation will put an end to this unfair and inhumane practice and ensure that responsible pet owners are not forced into housing instability due to unnecessary breed bans.” 

— from a Business Wire article titled “Congressional Leaders Introduce Legislation to Keep Families and Pets Together in Public Housing” 

Call To Action – Time To Act!

All this week Indivisible and 230+ allied organizations in the Declaration for American Democracy coalition are holding events to tell the Senate that NOW is the TIME TO ACT to pass Voting Rights legislation, and to end the filibuster to get it done.

From Indivisible National:

We’re organizing a Week of Action from November 8 to November 13 to demand the Senate pass the Freedom To Vote Act, now.

Voting rights are central to our democracy. This year alone we have seen targeted attacks on Americans’ right to vote in 17 states. There’s a bill in the Senate right now called the Freedom to Vote Act, sponsored by Senator Manchin, that would reverse this trend and put basic protections for voters in place. 

Every Democratic Senator has spoken about the importance of ensuring everyone has the ability to cast their vote and make their voice heard, but they have yet to pass this bill or any meaningful legislation to save our democracy. Meanwhile Republicans continue to obstruct and stand in the way of progress.

We’ve all been working hard to organize our local groups and communities to push Congress to take action, and it’s frustrating they haven’t gotten it done yet. But we’re determined to see this through. Our message to Congress is this: Passing the Freedom to Vote Act is critical to our democracy and we won’t take any excuses. Now is the Time to Act.

Check in with your local Indivisible, or visit this MOBILIZE link to find an event near you! Let’s keep on the pressure to end the filibuster and protect voting rights. Let’s mobilize like our democracy depends on it… because it does.

This report is brought to you by the Pennsylvania  MoCTrack team… 

CC Linda Houk

Gary Garb Kierstyn Piotrowski Zolfo

Have you seen an interesting or revealing recent quote from a member of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation that was not featured in MoCTrack? We are looking for folks who can help us cover what gets into traditional media, especially in the western parts of the state! Please email KierstynPZ@gmail.com and put “MoC Quote” in the subject, and please be sure to include a link to the article, the article title, and the full quote (in case your editor gets paywalled). Thanks!