POPVOX users from coast to coast messaged lawmakers about bills involving food safety, tax policy, and firearm regulations. Here’s an update on the top bills you weighed in on this year, ranked by the aggregate number of combined support and opposition.
#10 H.RES. 11 Authorizing a lawsuit against the President on Immigration Actions
Sponsor: Rep. Mo Brooks [R, AL-5]
This bill would authorize the Speaker of the House of Representatives to initiate or intervene in civil actions (on behalf of the House of Representatives) in federal court regarding the President and immigration laws.
The bill was reintroduced on the first day of the 114th Congress and referred to House Administration.
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#9 H.R. 3762 Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Price [R, GA-6]
This bill would repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act and defund Planned Parenthood through budget reconciliation procedure.
The bill passed the House on 10/23/15 with a vote of 240-189 and passed the Senate on 12/04/15 with a vote of 52-47. Speaker Paul Ryan said the House will put the Senate-amended reconciliation bill on the House floor the first week lawmakers return in January 2016. It is expected to pass and then head to President Obama, who has threatened to veto the legislation.
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#8 S. 1 Keystone XL Pipeline Act
Sponsor: Sen. John Hoeven [R, ND]
This bill would have issued a permit for TransCanada to build the 1,179-mile Aberta-to-Texas oil pipeline.
The bill had quite the year: working its way through the bill lifecycle and ultimately failing to become law. The bill passed the Senate on 1/29/15 with a vote of 62-36, passed the House on 2/11/15 with a vote of 270-152 and then was presented to President Obama, who vetoed the legislation. Congress failed to pass the bill over presidential veto.
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#7 H.R. 4269: Assault Weapons Ban of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. David Cicilline [D, RI-1] This bill would regulate assault weapons. The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on December 16, 2015.
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#6 H.R. 3799 Hearing Protection Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Matt Salmon [R, AZ-5] This bill would eliminate the $200 transfer tax on firearm silencers and amend the federal criminal code to preempt state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and Investigations (House Judiciary) on November 23, 2015.[show-popvox-widget type=”bill-detail” bill=”us/114/hr3799″ width=600]
#5 H.R. 1365 The Ammunition and Firearms Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Patrick McHenry [R, NC-10]
This bill would revise the definition of “armor piercing ammunition,” according to the bill sponsor.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and Investigations (House Judiciary) on March 31, 2015.
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#4 H.R. 3423 Agent Orange Extension Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Timothy Walz [D, MN-1]
This bill would extend for two years the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicides, including Agent Orange.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (House Veterans’ Affairs) on August 8, 2015.
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#3 S. 155 / H.R. 25 The Fair Tax Act
S. 155 Sponsor: Sen. Jerry Moran [R, KS] H.R. 25 Sponsor: Rep. Rob Woodall [R, GA-7] This bill would impose a national sales tax on taxable property or services in the United States in lieu of the current income and corporate income tax, employment and self-employment taxes, and estate and gift taxes. H.R. 25 was reintroduced on the first day of the 114th Congress. Rep. Rob Woodall waits every session to introduce his “Fair Tax Act” in a way that guarantees him the same bill number. It was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. S. 155 was introduced on January 13, 2015 and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
#2 H.R. 1806 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Lamar Smith [R, TX-21]
This bill would provide for technological innovation through the prioritization of Federal investment in research, fundamental scientific discovery and development to improve the competitiveness of the United States — namely by authorizing appropriations for FY2016-FY2017 for the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The bill passed the House on 5/20/15 with a vote of 217-205 — despite a statement from the Obama Administration strongly opposing the bill and recommending a veto. The bill appropriated $7.6 billion to the National Science Foundation (NSF), whereas the consolidated appropriations act (aka omnibus) that passed both the House and Senate on 12/18/15 appropriated $7.5 billion to the NSF.
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#1 H.R. 378 Responsible Body Armor Possession Act
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Honda [D, CA-17]
This bill would prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor, except in specified circumstances.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and Investigations (House Judiciary) on February 5, 2015.
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Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill does not imply POPVOX endorsement in any way. As always, our goal is to offer one more way to help you stay informed about the complex U.S. legislative system.
