Votes

Only 10 Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the polystyrene foam ban in a 178-229 vote.

The House approved a Department of Homeland Security spending bill Thursday night that would cut department spending by about 1 percent in 2013.

The $39.1 billion bill, H.R. 5855, was approved in a 234-182 vote that saw scant support from Democrats — 17 Democrats voted with Republicans to pass the bill, and 16 Republicans voted against it.

The House on Thursday voted down a proposal that would have stripped Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screeners of badges, shields and policeman-like uniforms, despite growing complaints that some screeners are abusing the perception that they are trained officers of the law.

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) proposed the language as an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security spending bill. The amendment would have prohibited the department from spending any money to provide TSA screeners with official-looking uniforms.

The House voted Thursday evening to prevent the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency from spending any money on its newly created "public advocate" position, which critics say is a formal position in the department aimed at helping people in illegal immigration proceedings.

Members voice-voted on an amendment from Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) to the 2013 DHS spending bill that would prevent any funding for the position.

Thirty-seven Democrats joined Republicans in voting to repeal the healthcare law tax despite a veto threat from President Obama.

The House voted Thursday to advance legislation that would repeal the 2.3 percent medical device excise tax imposed by the Democratic healthcare law in 2010, which would raise an anticipated $29 billion over the next decade.

Members approved the rule for the legislation, H.R. 436, in a mostly partisan 241-173 vote, although eight Democrats joined Republicans in support of the rule.

The House used roll call votes late Wednesday to approve just three amendments to the Department of Homeland Security spending bill for 2013, and rejected several others just before adjourning.

The voting ended just before midnight, after which the House adjourned and was preparing for more amendment work Thursday. As of late Wednesday, the House had disposed of every amendment debated so far.

The House voted to increase funding for firefighter grants and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) late Wednesday, during consideration of amendments to the Department of Homeland Security spending bill for 2013.

The House started work on the bill in the late afternoon, and was scheduled to consider amendments late into the evening.

The House passed a motion on Wednesday that instructs House conferees to the highway bill that they should accept language guaranteeing that each state receives more guaranteed highway money from the federal government.

Members approved a motion to instruct from Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) by a 259-154 vote.

The Obama administration promised a veto because the bill undermines a bipartisan agreement and includes several policy riders.