How the Texas congressional delegation voted

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas Carolyn Kaster AP

How the Texas congressional delegation voted on major issues last week:

Senate:

Leonard Grasz, Federal Appellate Judge

Confirmed: 50-48

The Senate voted to confirm Leonard S. Grasz, 56, an attorney in private practice and a former Nebraska deputy attorney general, for a judgeship on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Supporters said Grasz has a distinguished resume. But the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary rated him “not qualified,” citing, in part, a record of “gratuitously rude” professional conduct and a “passionately held social agenda” that “overwhelms…the ability to exercise dispassionate and unbiased judgment….”

A yes vote was to confirm the nominee.

Yes: Cornyn, Cruz

House:

Debate on ‘Net Neutrality’ Rules

Blocked: 236-137

The House voted to block a bid by Democrats to force floor debate on a bill (HR 4585) now in committee aimed at preserving the Federal Communications Commission’s “net neutrality” rules. The Obama-era rules are designed to keep the Internet equally available to all users. In part, they prevent broadband firms such as Verizon and Comcast from charging different prices to websites and other users based on service levels including capacity and speed of delivery. The vote occurred during debate on H Res 657. It occurred one day before the GOP-controlled FCC voted to repeal the rules on grounds that they deter investment and innovation in Internet technologies including broadband improvements.

A yes vote was to block floor debate on a bill to retain net-neutrality rules.

Yes: Barton, Granger, Marchant, Williams, Burgess

No: Veasey

Certification of Aircraft Sales to Iran

Passed: 252-167

The House voted on a GOP-sponsored bill (HR 4324) that would effectively block U.S. manufacturers such as Boeing from selling commercial passenger aircraft to Iran. The bill requires banks financing the sales to certify that none of the aircraft would be used to further Iran’s weapons programs or its involvement in terrorism. The bill would be likely to unravel the 2015 deal between Iran and six world powers that removed global economic sanctions in return for Iran dismantling a nuclear-weapons program that was nearly operational. The lifting of sanctions cleared the way for international sales of passenger aircraft and maintenance contracts to Iran.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Yes: Barton, Granger, Williams, Burgess

No: Veasey

Absent: Marchant

Adding Russia to Aircraft Bill

Defeated: 188-233

The House voted on a bill (HR 4324, above) requiring Treasury Department certification of U.S. aircraft sales to Iran. Under the amendment, the treasury secretary and director of national intelligence would have to certify that banks financing the sales have not done business with any entity found to have “engaged in or authorized cyber-attacks targeting any election held in the United States,” namely Russia.

A yes vote was to add scrutiny of Russia to the bill.

Yes: Barton, Granger, Williams, Burgess

No: Veasey

Absent: Marchant

Disclosure of Iranian Leaders’ Assets

Passed: 289-135

The House voted on a GOP-sponsored bill (HR 1638) that would require the Treasury Department to publicly disclose information on financial assets held by Iran’s top military and political leaders, including details on how they acquired their wealth. The information would be posted on the Internet in English and languages commonly used in Iran, with classified data provided only to Congress. Backers said the bill would expose corruption by the Iranian leadership. Foes said it could unravel the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and blow the cover on the sources and methods of Western intelligence in Iran.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Yes: Barton, Granger, Marchant, Williams, Burgess

No: Veasey