Votes

Members passed the Smarter Solutions for Students Act in a 221 to 198 vote, with the support of four Democrats.

The Senate rejected a farm bill amendment that would have clarified that states have the right to label genetically engineered (GE) food.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the amendment, which failed on a 27-71 vote — the amendment was held to a 60-vote threshold.

The House on Thursday advanced a bill that would peg federal student loan interest rates to government interest rates.

In a party line 224-193 vote, members approved a rule for H.R. 1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act. The bill is meant as a fix to the annual problem Congress now faces in adjusting interest rates for federally backed Stafford loans.

The House late Wednesday quickly passed two suspension bills by voice vote — one dealing with education, and the other dealing with the reliability of electricity generators around the country.

Members first passed H.R. 1949, the Improving Postsecondary Education Data for Students Act. This bill would require the Department of Education to assess how best to present information about college costs to parents and students trying to decide where to attend.

In a 241 to 175 vote, the House approved a bill that would take the decision of building Keystone out of Obama's hands.

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would criminalize making fraudulent claims about receiving military metals.

Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) introduced the Stolen Valor Act, which passed in the House on a 390-3 vote earlier this week. Heck served in the military prior to running for office.

The Senate rejected a farm bill amendment that would have reformed the U.S. sugar program.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) introduced an amendment that would have reformed the subsidies and import restrictions on sugar within the United States. The amendment failed on a 45-54 vote Wednesday.

The Senate voted 99-0 on Wednesday on a resolution that calls for strengthening U.S. and international sanctions against Iran.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the resolution, which would reaffirm the United States’ support for Israel and recognizes the threat a nuclear Iran would pose to the West. 

The House on Wednesday approved a rule governing floor consideration of a bill that would approve the construction of the northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline, setting up a Thursday vote to pass the bill.

Members approved the rule for H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, in a 228-185 vote. Nine Democrats supported the rule, a sign that several will support the final bill on Thursday.

The Senate rejected a farm bill amendment that would have turned food stamps into a state block grant program.

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the amendment, which he said would have saved $300 billion over 10 years. The amendment failed on a 36-60 vote on Wednesday.