A Senate bill prohibiting the slaughter of horses topped July’s list of most active bills on POPVOX.
The SAFE Act (S 1214) would “prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption in America, as well as the export of horses for the same purpose,” according to the bill sponsor. The House version of the bill (HR 1942) was #19 on the month’s list.
“We must do all we can to protect American consumers from serious health risks and this bill helps keep toxic horsemeat off our dining room tables,” said Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the bill’s sponsor. “American horses are treated with drugs that should not enter the food supply and our bipartisan coalition wants to prevent damage to the reputation of the entire US food industry, while simultaneously standing firm against the cruel slaughter of horses.” The vast majority of POPVOX users weighing in echoed that sentiment. Nearly all—99 percent—supported the bill. (Read POPVOX user comments.)
Top 20 Bills in July
#1 John Rainey Memorial Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S 1214)
Sponsor: Sen. Bob Menendez (R-NJ) —Bipartisan— “Would prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption in America, as well as the export of horses for the same purpose,” according to the bill sponsor. “American horses are treated with drugs that should not enter the food supply and our bipartisan coalition wants to prevent damage to the reputation of the entire US food industry, while simultaneously standing firm against the cruel slaughter of horses.” (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 99% Support | 1% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 5/6/2015.
#2 Resolution Disapproving the Iran Nuclear Agreement (HRes 367)
Sponsor: Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) “Sets the stage for the 60-day lead up to a vote on this agreement by allowing Members to express their disapproval of the accord. The unprecedented outpouring of support for this resolution proves that Congress will not rubber-stamp a deal that severely threatens the United States and our allies by paving Iran's path to a bomb.”
“This agreement fails on every level to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran is allowed to keep much of its nuclear infrastructure intact and rewarded an $150 billion cash infusion from sanctions relief. The so-called ‘anytime, anywhere’ inspections regime in reality provides Iran nearly a month's notice on inspections. And, in an unprecedented last-minute concession, the U.N. arms embargo and ban on ballistic missiles will be lifted in just a few short years. This is a bad deal, and it must be stopped,” according to the sponsor. (Read resolution text)
On POPVOX in July: 81% Support | 19% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 7/16/2015.
#3 Prohibiting federal funding of Planned Parenthood (S 1861)
Sponsor: Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) “Would eliminate nearly $500 million of taxpayer funding each year to Planned Parenthood,” according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
From our Hill Sources: Members of Congress are feeling a sense of urgency to vote on a bill prohibiting federal funding of Planned Parenthood after media reports of a video describing in detail Planned Parenthood’s role in the harvesting of fetal tissue. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is making inquiries to Planned Parenthood and the US Attorney General. (Read the letters.)
On POPVOX in July: 81% Support | 19% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 7/24/2015; Senate vote expected the week of August 3.
#4 Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (HR 1599)
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) “Would establish a federal labeling standard for foods with genetically modified ingredients, giving sole authority to the Food and Drug Administration to require mandatory labeling on such foods if they are ever found to be unsafe or materially different from foods produced without GM ingredients.” According to the bill sponsor: “Under SAFLA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will conduct a safety review of all new plant varieties used for genetically engineered food before those foods are introduced into commerce. This will ensure that consumers are getting scientific, accurate, and relevant information by allowing the FDA to specify special labeling if it believes it is necessary to protect health and safety. In order to provide even greater transparency, my legislation includes a provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so through a USDA-accredited certification process.”
From our Hill Sources: Under this proposal, companies that wished to label their products as not containing GMOs (genetically modified organisms), such as with a “GMO-Free” label, would be able to do so. However, it would give the Food and Drug Administration sole authority to require labeling of GMO products, possibly trumping state laws in Maine, Connecticut and Vermont requiring foods containing GMOs to be labeled.
On POPVOX in July: 19% Support | 81% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 3/25/2015.
#5 First Amendment Defense Act (HR 2802 and S 1598 in the Senate)
Sponsor: Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) —Bipartisan—“Would prohibit any federal agency from denying a tax exemption, grant, contract, license or certification to an individual, association, or business based on their belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.” As the bill sponsor explained: “It is imperative that we move quickly to protect the religious liberty of religious organizations and persons and I call on the leadership of the House and the Senate to speed up consideration of this bill and its companion, S 1598, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).” (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 84% Support | 16% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 6/17/2015.
#6 Defund Planned Parenthood Act (HR 3134)
Sponsor: Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) “Would place an immediate moratorium on all federal funding of Planned Parenthood for the span of one year while Congress conducts a full investigation into the organization’s activities,” according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 81% Support | 19% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 7/21/2015.
#7 Every Child Achieves Act (S 1177) – Passed by the Senate —
Sponsor: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) According to the Senate HELP Committee, bipartisan legislation to fix ‘No Child Left Behind'. "Would reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the chief law governing the federal role in K-12 education. The most recent reauthorization of ESEA was the “No Child Left Behind Act,” which was enacted in 2001 and expired in 2007. Since then, nearly all states have been forced to ask the U.S. Department of Education for waivers from some of the law’s most unworkable requirements. The senators’ bill would fix the problems with “No Child Left Behind,” while keeping successful provisions, such as the reporting requirement of disaggregated data on student achievement. The bill would end states’ need for waivers from the law." (See summary. Read bill text)
From our Hill Sources: This weekend, Senator Alexander (R-TN), the chairman of the Senate HELP Committee, explained, "the problems with No Child Left Behind have been created by a combination of presidential action and congressional inaction."
On POPVOX in July: 14% Support | 86% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 4/30/2015. Passed by the Senate on 7/16/2015; now goes to the House for consideration.
#8 Marriage Protection Amendment (HJRes 32)
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) “Would amend the United States Constitution to protect marriage, family, and children by affirming marriage as the union between one man and one woman for all federal and state purposes,” according to the sponsor. (Read resolution text)
On POPVOX in July: 79% Support | 21% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 2/12/2015.
#9 Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act (S 819)
Sponsor: Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) —Bipartisan— Would reauthorize the Bank’s charter until September 30, 2019 and implement several reforms, including: Reduce risk to taxpayers by requiring higher loan loss reserves; Put greater focus on small businesses by increasing the required lending to small businesses from 20 percent to 25 percent; and increase oversight of Ex-Im Bank practices by: Creating a Chief Risk Officer and a Risk Management Committee to oversee the Bank's operations; Requiring the Inspector General to regularly audit the Bank’s risk management procedures; and Creating a non-political Chief Ethics Officer to oversee ethics practices of Bank employees. (Source: bill sponsors)
On POPVOX in July: 5% Support | 95% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 3/19/2015.
#10 SCOTUScare Act (HR 2905)
Sponsor: Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) “To require the Supreme Court and all of its employees to sign up for Obamacare. By eliminating their exemption from Obamacare, they will see firsthand what the American people are forced to live with!,” according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 90% Support | 10% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 6/25/2015.
#11 Restrain the Judges on Marriage Act (HR 1968)
Sponsor: Rep. Steve King (R-IA) “Strips federal courts of jurisdiction to hear cases related to marriage. The effect of the bill would prevent federal courts from hearing marriage cases, leaving the issue to the States where it properly belongs,” according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 82% Support | 18% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 4/22/2015.
#12 ObamaCare Repeal Act (S 339)
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) “Fully repeals Obamacare 180 days after its enactment, giving Congress and the states six months to develop and vote on patient-oriented health care reforms,” according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 86% Support | 14% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 2/2/2015.
#13 State Defense of Marriage Act (S 435 and HR 824 in the House)
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) “Requiring that the federal government defer to the law of the state where a couple resides to determine whether the couple is married for purposes of federal law,” according to the bill sponsors. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 81% Support | 19% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 2/10/2015.
#14 Respect for Marriage Act (S 29 and HR 197 in the House)
Sponsor: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) “To repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. The bill would also ensure that all legally-married, same-sex couples are treated equally under federal law by clarifying current statues,” according to the bill sponsors. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 18% Support | 82% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced 1/06/2015.
#15 Western Water and American Food Security Act (HR 2898) – Passed by the House —
Sponsor: Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) —Bipartisan— “Aims to make more water available to families, farmers, and communities in California and bordering Western states. The dedication of vast quantities of water to protect certain species of fish listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a significant obstacle hindering water delivery in Central and Southern California. HR 2898 will require federal agencies to use current and reliable data when making regulatory decisions, which in turn will provide more water for communities in need,” according to the bill sponsor. The bill will also provide federal regulators with direction and flexibility to capture water during periods of greater precipitation, which can be used to increase California’s water supplies dramatically. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 35% Support | 65% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 6/25/2015. Passed House on 7/16/2015; now goes to the Senate for consideration.
#16 Responsible Body Armor Possession Act (HR 378)
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) To prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians, with exceptions. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 3% Support | 97% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 1/14/2015.
#17 Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act (HR 3078)
Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) “Creates a 10-member bipartisan Executive Commission to study the impact of US laws and Executive actions on the overseas Americans community. The study would then be used to make recommendations for actions Congress and the Executive Branch could take to improve collaboration and communication of policies impacting this community. The intent of the review is to enhance awareness, coordination, and integration of the activities of the federal government relating to Americans abroad,” according to the bill sponsors. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 93% Support | 7% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 7/15/2015.
#18 Social Security and Marriage Equality Act (HR 1404)
Sponsor: Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) —Bipartisan— “To ensure all same-sex spouses receive equal treatment under the Social Security Act when applying for Social Security benefits, regardless of where they live. Eligibility for spousal benefits provided under the Social Security Act is determined by a place of residence standard. This standard has resulted in applications for Social Security benefits for legally married same-sex spouses living in states that do not recognize same-sex marriage not being approved. The SAME Act provides a roadmap to ensure all legally married couples have equal access to the benefits they have earned,” according to the bill sponsors. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 24% Support | 76% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 3/17/2015.
#19 Safeguard American Food Exports Act (HR 1942)
Sponsor: Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH) — Bipartisan — “For centuries, horses have embodied the spirit of American freedom and pride. To that end, horses are not raised for food – permitting their transportation for the purposes of being slaughtered for human consumption is not consistent with our values and results in a dangerously toxic product. My bipartisan bill seeks to prevent and end the inhumane and dangerous process of transporting thousands of horses a year for food,” according to the bill sponsor. (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 95% Support | 5% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 4/22/2015.
#20 Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (HR 711)
Sponsor: Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) “Repeals the 1980’s era WEP which impacts 1.3 million public servants who earn a pension at work as well as in Social Security. The WEP can dock monthly Social Security benefits as much as $413 a month. Instead, HR 711 bases Social Security on real life earnings and work history,” according to the bill sponsor. “Our bill strengthens the solvency of Social Security while guaranteeing our public servants receive the full benefits they earned when paying into the program.” (Read bill text)
On POPVOX in July: 100% Support | 0% Oppose
Action in the 114th Congress: Introduced on 2/4/2015.
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