Tuesday, July 29, 2008

H.R. 3043 (Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 )

A bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.

I guess the junior Senator from Texas does not believe that these departments and their funding are important. He voted nay. The Senate was a bit more understanding. Again, the Senoir Senator from Texas voted for the measure.

The vote was
YEAs
75
NAYs
19
Not Voting
6

On Passage of the Bill (H.R.3963 )

Senator Cornyn voted against a bill to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes. The senoir Senator from Texas voted for it but not Senator Cornyn. The bill passed despite the Senator's short sighted vote.

The vote was
YEAs
64
NAYs
30
Not Voting
6

On the Nomination (Confirmation Michael B. Mukasey of New York, to be Attorney General )

Again the junior Senator from Texas is missing in action. The Senate was voting on Michael B. Mukasey, of New York, to be Attorney General. It would be nice if Senator Cornyn could have at least shown up. 93 other Senators took their job seriously enough to vote.

The vote was
YEAs
53
NAYs
40
Not Voting
7

On Passage of the Bill (S.1200 as Amended )

A bill to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend the Act.

I guess that this was not important to Senator Cornyn. He didn't vote.

The bill did pass with
YEAs
83
NAYs
10
Not Voting
7
It was my understanding that Senators were paid by the public to vote on bills, treaties etc. Obviously Senator Cornyn is way to busy.

Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008

This bill is a bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and for other purposes.

Senator Cornyn showed his obstructionist leanings when he voted nay on this bill. THe bill passed with
YEAs
80
NAYs
16
Not Voting
4
Great work Senator Cornyn!

Apologies

For those that have noticed my absence, I would like to apologize. I have been through a traumatic health problem and have been unable to write. I am now able to write and want to get the message out about our junior senator.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Senator Cornyn refuses to close tax loopholes that give unfair advantage!

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote #76

Senator Cornyn voted nay on an amendment that would protect family businesses and farmers without increasing our nation's debt by providing for an estate tax that sets the exemption at $5 million and the rate at 35 percent, with the benefits of the exemption recaptured for estates over $100 million, paid for by closing tax loopholes that allow offshore deferral of compensation and transactions entered into solely for the purpose of avoiding taxation.

Senator Cornyn obviously believes that $5 million dollar businesses or farm that are passed on to children are too small to be viable. He also obviously wishes that the exemption be continued for businesses and farms in excess of $100 million. He does not want to close protect family businesses and farmers without increasing our nation's debt by providing for an estate tax that sets the exemption at $5 million and the rate at 35 percent, with the benefits of the exemption recaptured for estates over $100 million, paid for by closing tax loopholes that allow offshore deferral of compensation and transactions entered into solely for the purpose of avoiding taxation.

Does Texas or the nation have that many family farms or business that are in excess of $100 million but are still partnerships or sole proprietorships?
Is Senator Cornyn in real touch with the people he represents?

Information on the vote can be found at http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00076