Votes

The House on Friday morning took a step toward passing a bill that would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct strict cost-benefit analyses of its regulations.

Members approved a rule for H.R. 1062, the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act, in a 223-180 vote. Passage of the rule will let the House approve the bill later Friday.

The Senate passed a bill Thursday that would stop the Army Corps of Engineers from restricting fishing waters.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) introduced the Right to Fish Act, S. 982, which was passed in a unanimous consent agreement.

The Senate voted 97-0 to approve President Obama’s nomination of Ernest Moniz to head the Department of Energy.

The House voted Wednesday to set a firm deadline by which the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must write rules expanding the exemption from SEC regulation for securities offered under Regulation A.

Regulation A allows companies raise up to $5 million per year by offering securities without making them register and otherwise be subject to normal SEC regulations. Under legislation passed last year, that ceiling would be increased to $50 million, but did not set a firm deadline for this change.

The Senate confirmed President Obama’s nominee to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

On Wednesday, the Senate voted 91-7 for Marilyn Tavenner to lead CMS, which hasn’t had a Senate-confirmed administrator in seven years.

The House on Wednesday quickly approved two land use bills, one of which would give the Northern Mariana Islands the same coastal rights as other U.S. territories.

Members approved H.R. 573 by unanimous consent. The bill would expand the Northern Mariana Islands' coastal territory up to three nautical miles, the same coastal rights that other territories already enjoy.

The bill faces an uncertain future in the House, were lawmakers are concerned about the discretion it would give Obama.

The House on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation reaffirming U.S. policy as one that supports an Internet that is controlled by stakeholders, not governments.

In a 413-0 vote, members passed H.R. 1580, which once again signals the support of Congress for the continued development of the Internet without guidance from any single government or a collection of governments.

The Senate advanced the water infrastructure bill Tuesday by voting on three more amendments.

On Wednesday, the Senate will resume amendment votes on the bill — there will be six more before final passage.

The Senate passed a bill Thursday before leaving for the weekend that would give congressional gold medals to the four victims of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church more than 50 years ago.

Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) introduced H.R. 360, which passed in the House last month on a 420-0 vote. The Senate approved the measure through a unanimous consent agreement.