| NAM's Official 108th Congress Voting Record (Senate) |
| Description |
Preferred Position |
This official's vote compared with the preferred position |
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1) Blocking Clean Air Act's New Source Review Reforms. Vote on an Edwards (D-NC) amendment to the FY 2003 omnibus spending bill that would have delayed EPA's proposed reforms to the New Source Review program until a study had been completed by the National Academy of Sciences. Rejected 50-46 on January 22, 2003 (Roll No. 12). NAM members opposed the amendment, noting that the NSR program has been under review for more than a decade. The reforms will alleviate confusion surrounding NSR compliance requirements and help promote safer, cleaner and more efficient factories, refineries and power plants. NAM POSITION: No.
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N |
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2) Prohibiting Environmentally Sound Oil/Gas Exploration in ANWR. Vote on a Boxer (D-CA) amendment to the FY 2004 Senate budget resolution that deleted bill language permitting environmentally-sound oil/gas exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Amendment was approved 52-48 on March 19, 2003 (Roll No. 59). The NAM strongly supports ANWR development, which provides the best opportunity to increase domestic production, decrease dependence on foreign oil and buy sufficient time for scientists, engineers and manufacturers to develop alternative energy sources. NAM POSITION: No.
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N |
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3) FY2004 Senate Budget Resolution. Vote on S.Con. Res. 23, the Senate FY 2004 budget resolution. Approved 56-44 on March 26, 2003 (Roll No. 108). Despite opposing provisions in the resolution curbing the President's tax relief efforts, the NAM supported passage as a means of moving the legislation to conference. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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4) Jobs, Growth and Tax Relief. Vote on the conference report to jobs, growth and tax relief bill H.R. 2. Approved 51-50 on May 23, 2003 (Roll No. 196). NAM members supported the pro-growth package, which reduced taxes on dividends and capital gains, expanded expensing and increased bonus depreciation for businesses and reduced taxes for individuals and many small businesses. Signed into law (P.L. 108-27) on May 28, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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5) Banning an Offshore Oil/Gas Resources Assessment. Vote on a Graham (D-FL) amendment to energy bill S. 14 that would have deleted bill language requiring the Interior Dept. to conduct a scientific inventory and analysis of oil and natural gas resources beneath the waters of the Outer Continental Shelf. Rejected 54-44 on June 12, 2003 (Roll No. 221). The NAM opposed the amendment, which would have denied policy-makers the scientific data needed to assess the nation's oil and gas supply. NAM POSITION: No
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N |
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6) Medical Liability Reform. Vote on a procedural motion to debate S. 11, legislation that would help make health coverage more affordable for millions of Americans by addressing all forms of medical liability (malpractice, plan coverage decisions, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, etc.). Vote was 49-48, 11 shy of the 60 votes needed to overcome opponents' filibuster and begin debate on the bill, on July 9, 2003 (Roll No. 264). The NAM has long championed medical liability reform because of the downstream consequences for higher health care costs from unlimited damage awards, liability insurance, and defensive medicine. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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7) Reasonable Fuel Efficiency Standards. Vote on a Bond (R-MO)/Levin (D-MI) amendment to energy bill S. 14 that would direct the Transportation Department to conduct an extensive analysis of the effects of higher corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards on the U.S. economy, environment and domestic manufacturing industry by April 2006. Approved 66-30 on July 29, 2003 (Roll No. 310). NAM members supported the amendment, which would prevent lawmakers from arbitrarily mandating higher CAFE levels and would allow adequate time for a scientific analysis of CAFE standards. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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8) U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Vote on H.R. 2739, legislation implementing the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Approved 66-32 on July 31, 2003 (Roll No. 318). NAM members supported the accord, which sets a valuable precedent for future FTAs with the developing countries of Southeast Asia, where U.S. manufactured exports face average bound tariff rates of 30 percent. Signed into law (P.L. 108-78) on Sept. 3, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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9) U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. Vote on H.R. 2738, legislation implementing the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. Approved 66-31 on July 31, 2003 (Roll No. 319). The NAM supported the accord, which eliminates nearly all tariffs on U.S. manufactured exports upon implementation and provides the framework for a successful FTAA accord. Signed into law (P.L. 108-77) on Sept. 3, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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10) Blocking Increases To Individual Tax Rates. Vote on a motion to table, or defeat, a Biden (D-DE) amendment that would have given the Secretary of Treasury authority to raise the top marginal income tax rates for individuals from 2005 through 2010. Tabling motion was approved, and the amendment rejected, by a vote of 57-42 on Oct. 2, 2003 (Roll No. 373). The NAM supported the tabling motion and opposed the amendment, noting that more than 50 percent of the NAM's small and medium-sized manufacturers pay taxes at the individual rates. A rate increase would limit funds available for companies to expand and create new jobs. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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11) Class Action Reform. Vote on a procedural motion to proceed to debate S. 1751, legislation aimed at curbing the explosion of frivolous class-action lawsuits. Motion failed 59-39, 1 shy of the 60 required under Senate procedural rules on Oct. 22, 2003 (Roll No. 403). The NAM supported the motion to proceed and the underlying bill, which would curb trial lawyer "forum shopping" by shifting most major class actions to federal courts, without altering plaintiffs' right to sue. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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12) Implementing the Kyoto Climate Change Accord. Vote on a substitute amendment to S. 139, the McCain (R-AZ)/Lieberman (D-CT) climate change bill. Rejected 55-43 on October 30, 2003 (Roll No. 420). The NAM opposed the amendment and the underlying bill, which would have begun implementing the greenhouse gas limits embodied in the flawed Kyoto Protocol treaty, raising U.S. energy costs and increasing fuel-switching from coal to natural gas. NAM POSITION: No.
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N |
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13) Ending the Filibuster on Energy Legislation. Vote on a cloture motion to limit debate and proceed to a final vote on the conference report to energy bill H.R. 6. Vote was 57-40, 3 shy of the 60 required under procedural rules, on Nov. 21, 2003 (Roll No. 456). The NAM supported the cloture motion and the underlying bill, which would encourage research and development, energy efficiency and improvements to the energy infrastructure. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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14) Medicare Reform. Vote on the conference report to Medicare reform bill H.R. 1. Approved 54-44 on Nov. 25, 2003 (Roll No. 459). The NAM supported the conference agreement, which provides affordable prescription drug coverage, immediate cost savings and greater choice to Medicare beneficiaries and flexible assistance to employers who currently provide retiree health coverage. Signed into law (P.L. 108-173) on Dec. 8, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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15) Sinking Liability Reform. Vote on a Feinstein (D-CA) "poison pill" amendment to S. 1805, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Adopted 52-47 on March 2, 2004 (Roll No. 24). The amendment, which would have reauthorized the ban on certain assault weapons for 10 years, was widely viewed as an effort to defeat S. 1805. The NAM would not have had a position on this amendment as a stand-alone bill, but opposed it because it served as a "killer" amendment for S. 1805, which was designed to forestall lawsuits brought with the intent of shutting down a legitimate and legal industry. NAM POSITION: No.
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N |
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16) Reinstating Superfund Taxes. Vote on a Lautenberg (D-NJ) amendment to the Senate FY 2005 budget resolution that would reinstate expired Superfund taxes. Rejected 52-44 on March 11, 2004 (Roll No. 45). The NAM strongly opposes reinstatement of all Superfund taxes as an unnecessary burden on industry ($15 billion over 10 years), as there is no connection between the taxes and funding for Superfund cleanups. NAM POSITION: No.
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N |
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17) Pension Funding – 30-Year Treasury Fix. Vote on the conference report to H.R. 3108, legislation replacing the defunct 30-year Treasury interest rate used for pension calculations with a composite rate of high-quality, long-term corporate bond indices for two years. Approved 78-19 on April 8, 2004 (Roll No. 68). The NAM supported the bill, noting that failure to rectify the problem could impede our nation’s emerging economic recovery and threaten the retirement security of millions of American workers. Signed into law (P.L. 108-218) on April 10, 2004. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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18) Asbestos Litigation Reform. Vote on a procedural motion to proceed to debate S. 2290, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act. Motion failed 50-47, 10 votes shy of the 60 needed to debate the bill, on April 22, 2004 (Roll No. 69). The NAM supported the procedural motion and a full debate regarding asbestos, noting that failure to enact legislation could reduce economic growth by $2.4 billion per year and cost more than 30,000 jobs annually. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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19) Undermining Improvements To Overtime Pay Regulations. Vote on a Harkin (D-IA) amendment to JOBS bill S. 1637. The amendment would prohibit the Labor Dept. from implementing its final rule updating the definition of "white collar" employees, which are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime requirements. Approved 52-47 on May 4, 2004 (Roll No. 79). The NAM opposed the amendment, believing the final rule will reduce uncertainty and help companies draw the line between exempt and non-exempt employees correctly. NAM POSITION: No.
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N |
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20) FSC/ETI: The JOBS Act (Cloture Motion). Vote on a procedural (cloture) motion to debate S. 1637, the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act. Approved 90-8, exceeding by 30 the number of affirmative votes required under Senate rules (Roll No. 87) on May 11, 2004. The NAM supported the cloture motion and the underlying bill, which would address the FSC/ETI dispute and allow the U.S. to comply with our international obligations without sacrificing competitiveness and jobs. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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21) FSC/ETI: The JOBS Act (Final Passage). Vote on S. 1637, the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act. Approved 92-5 on May 11, 2004 (Roll No. 91). The NAM supported the bill, which would address the FSC/ETI dispute and allow the U.S. to comply with our international obligations without sacrificing competitiveness and jobs. NAM POSITION: Yes
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Y |
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22) Class Action Reform. Vote on a cloture motion to limit debate and proceed to final action on S. 2062, the Class Action Fairness Act. Motion failed 44-43, 16 shy of the 60 required under Senate procedural rules on July 8, 2004 (Roll No. 154). The NAM supported the motion to invoke cloture and the underlying bill, which would curb trial lawyer "forum shopping" by shifting most major class actions to federal courts, without altering plaintiffs' right to sue. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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23) United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Vote on legislation that would implement the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement into U.S. law. Approved 80-16 on July 15, 2004 (Roll No. 156). The NAM supported the legislation and the FTA, which is likely to result in $1.8 billion per year in increased U.S. manufactured exports and more U.S. jobs. NAM POSITION: Yes.
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Y |
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| This official's percentage on this voting record: |
22%
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| NAM's Official 107th Congress Voting Record (Senate) |
| Description |
Preferred Position |
This official's vote compared with the preferred position |
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Vote on S.J. Res. 6, a joint resolution disapporving OSHA's final rule on ergonomics. Approved 56-44 (Roll No. 15) on March 6, 2001. The NAM supported the bill and opposed the $18 billion over-reaching regulation, which was scientifically and legally flawed. Signed into law (P.L. 107-5) on March 27, 2002. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on the McCain (R-ZA)/Feingold (D-WI) campaign finance bill, which would ban "soft-money" contributions to political parties, significantly restrict the free-speech rights of Americans, etc. Approved 59-41 (Roll No. 64) on April 2, 2001. Similar version signed into law (P.L. 107-155) on March 27, 2002. NAM Position: No.
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N |
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Vote on the conference report to H. Con. Res. 83, the non-binding FY 2002 budget resolution, which included $1.35 trillion in tax cuts through FY 2011 and discretionary spending limits of $661.3 billion. Approved 53-47 on May 10, 2001 (Roll No. 98). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Final vote on the President's tax-cut proposal, H.R. 1836, which implements the following over an 11-year period: across-the-board reductions in individual tax rates at all levels, an immediate economic stimulus plan and a phase-out of the death tax. Approved 58-33 on May 26, 2001 (Roll No. 170) Signed into law (P.L. 107-16) on June 7, 2001. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a Gramm (R-TX) amendment to the Kennedy (D-MA)/McCain (R-AZ) patients' rights bill. Amendment would have excluded employers and other plan sponsors from liability without exceptions. Rejected 57-43 on June 26, 2001 (Roll No. 197). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a motion to table or defeat a Nelson (D-FL) amendment to H.R. 2217, the FY 2002 Interior appropriations bill. Amendment would have placed a six-month moratorium on any new oil/gas leases in teh Gulf of Mexico, including the very promisinig Lease Sale 181 in the Eastern Gulf. Tabling motion was approved (and the amendment rejected) 67-33 on July 12, 2001 (Roll No. 231). The NAM supported the tabling motion, considering this vote a key first test of the resolve of Congress to develop a long-term energy strategy. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on the nomination of John Graham, director of Harvard's Center for Risk Analysis, to be administrator of OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Nomination approved 61-37 on July 19, 2001 (Roll No. 242). Calling the vote the "most important regulatory decision" of the year, the NAM supported the nomination of Graham, who advocates a rational approach to federal rulemaking that focuses on sound scientific analysis and cost-effective solutions. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a Levin (D-MI)/Bond (R-MO) amendment to replace energy bill S. 517's mandated increatse in corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to 35 mpg, with language giving federal experts at NHTSA two years to study and set appropriate CAFE standards after reviewing relevant technological, safety, economic and environmental issues. Approved 62-38 on March 13, 2002 (Roll No. 47). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a Kyl (R-AZ) amendment to energy bill S. 517. AMendment would have replaced the bill's renewable portfolio standard mandate-which would raise electricity prices and reduce reliability by essentially requiring one-third of all new electric-generating capacities between now and 2019 to consist of wind or solar power or biomass-with a consumer choice, state-based approach. Rejected 58-40 on March 21, 2002 (Roll No. 55). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a cloture motion (requiring 60 votes) to limit debate and move to final consideration of a Murkowski (R-AK)/Breaux (D-LA) amendment to energy bill S. 517. AMendment sought to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by permitting limited, environmentally sound oil/gas exploration in teh Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. Rejected 54-46 (14 votes shy of the required 60) on April 18, 2002 (Roll No. 71). The NAM supported both the cloture peition and the amendment. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Motion to table or reject a Kerry (D-MA) amendment that would have watered down investor protections against governmental expropriation via regulatory actions. Amendment was tabled 55-41 (Roll No. 121) on May 21, 2002. The NAM supported the tabling motion and opposed teh amendment. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a procedural motion requiring 60 votes to allow consideration and passage of a Gramm (R-TX)/Kyl (R-AZ) amendment permanently repealing the death tax. Vote was 54-44, 6 shy of the 60 needed on June 12, 2002 (Roll No. 151). The NAM supported the amendment and the procedural motion, as estate tax rates as high as 55 percent force the sale of many small manufacturing companies upon the owner's death. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a motion to table or defeat a McConnell (R-KY) amendment to terrorism insurance bill S. 2600. Amendment woudl have ensured that private parties are not unfairly penalized by punitive damages should they fall victim to terrorist activities. Motion to table was approved, and the amendment rejected, 50-46 on June 13, 2002 (Roll No. 152). The NAM supported the amendment and opposed the tabling motion. NAM Position: No.
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N |
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Vote on a motion to proceed with legislation allowing Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to become the nation's permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel. Approved 60-39 on July 9, 2002 (Roll No. 167). The NAM supported the motion and the underlying bill, noting that after 20 years of scientific study, Yucca Mountain is a proven safe, secure and suitable repository. Signed into law (P.L. 107-200) on July 23, 2002. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Motion to waive a point of order (requiring 60 votes) and clear the path for passage of S. 2, the Grassley (R-IA)/Breaux (D-LA)/Jeffords (I-VT) "tripartisan" bill that would add a Part D drug benefit for beneficiaries; take steps toward comprehensive Medicare reform by providing for an enhanced and unified Medicare fee-for-service benefit (Medicare Part E); and strengthen the Medicare and Medicare +Choice programs. Motion failed 51-48, 12 shy of the 60 required for passage on July 23, 2002 (Roll No. 187). The NAM supported the procedural motion and the underlying bill, which would assist employers with unduly high retiree drug costs and costs that exceed the out-of-pocket cap. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on the conference report to H.R. 3009, which renews Trade Promotion Authority for five years, extends the Andean Trade Preference Act, expands the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, renews Generalized System of Preferences and more. Approved 64-34 on August 1, 2002 (Roll No. 207). Signed into law (P.L. 107-210) on August 6, 2002. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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| This official's percentage on this voting record: |
6%
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| NAM's Official 106th Congress Voting Record (Senate) |
| Description |
Preferred Position |
This official's vote compared with the preferred position |
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Vote on the conference report to H. Con. Res. 68, the non-binding FY 2000 budget resolution, setting budgetary levels through FY 2009. Included provisions to cut taxes and the national debt while preserving 100 percent of the Social Security trust fund. Approved 54-44 on April 15, 1999 (Roll No. 86). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Motion to table, or defeat, a Kerry (D-MA) substitute to Y2K liability bill S. 96. The substitute, backed by the White House, would have scaled back S. 96 by removing caps on punitive damages and substituting judicial discretion for clear rules on proportionate liability. Substitute tabled 57-41 on June 9, 1999 (Roll No. 159). The NAM opposed the substitute and supported the tabling motion. NAM-backed Y2K legislation was signed into law (P.L. 106-37) on July 20, 1999. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a Gregg (R-NH) amendment to the Democratic Patients' Bill of Rights proposal. Amendment sough to delete language in the underlying bill that allowed patients to sue their employers in state courts if they were harmed by a plan's denial of treatment. Adopted 53-47 on July 15, 1999 (Roll No. 206). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on S. 1429, Roth (R-DE) legislation calling for $792 billion in tax cuts over 10 years. Approved 57-43 on July 30, 1999 (Roll no. 247). Final version of bill vetoed on September 23, 1999. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a motion to invoke cloture on S. 1593, the McCain (R-AZ)/Feingold (D-WI) bill, which would have banned soft-money contributions to political parties and significantly infringed on the free speech rights of Americans. Motion fell seven votes short of the 60 needed for cloture, 53-47 on October 19, 1999 (Roll No. 331). The NAM opposed the cloture motion and the underlying bill. NAM Position: No.
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N |
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Motion to table a Kennedy (D-MA) amendment to S. 625, increasing the minimum wage by $1 over two years and calling for tax increases without adequately providing significant tax relief to small businesses. The tabling motion was approved (and the amendment rejected) 50-48 on November 9, 1999 (Roll No. 356). The NAM opposed the amendment and supported the tabling motion. NAM Position: Yes.
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N |
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Vote on a Wellstone (D-MN) amendment that would have imposed an 18-month moratorium on agribusiness mergers and acquisitions, prohibiting small firms on the verge of bankruptcy from taking actions to preserve employees' jobs and salvage the firm's assets. Rejected 71-27 on November 17, 1999 (Roll No. 366). NAM Position: No.
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N |
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Vote on S. 1287, Murkowski (R-AK) legislation to provide for the storage of spent nuclear fuel, pending completion of the nuclear-waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Approved 64-34 on February 10, 2000 (Roll No. 8). Vetoed April 25, 2000. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Motion to table/defeat a Daschle (D-SD) amendment to the FY 2001 defense authorization bill. Amendment would have left employers offering health benefits exposed to medical malpractice/personal injury lawsuits and increased the government's role in the health care system. Tabling motion was approved and the amendment rejected, 51-48 on June 8, 2000 (Roll No. 121). The NAM opposed the amendment and supported the tabling motion. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on an Enzi (R-WY) amendment to the Labor-HHS spending bill that would prohibit OSHA funding in FY 2001 for advancing or finalizing an ergonomics regulation. Approved 57-41 on June 22, 2000 (Roll No. 143). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on H.R. 8, legislation to phase out the death tax. Estate tax rates as high as 55 percent force the sale of many family-owned small manufacturing companies upon the owner's death. Approved 59-39 on July 14, 2000 (Roll No. 197). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on a cloture motion to proceed to H.R. 4444, legislation granting China permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status, significantly reducing tariffs on U.S. exports and opening new markets to U.S. companies. Approved 86-12 on July 27, 2000 (Roll No. 231). NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Motion to table, or defeat, a Thompson (R-TN)/Torricelli (D-NJ) amendment to H.R. 4444, legislation granting China permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status. Amendment would have imposed unilateral sanctions on U.S. business with China and negated many of the benefits of PNTR. Tabling motion was approved 65-32 on September 13, 2000 (Roll No. 242). The NAM opposed the amendment and supported the tabling motion. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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Vote on S. 2045, a Hatch (R-UT) bill helping companies address the worker skills shortage by: raising the annual cap on H-1B high-skilled foreign workers through FY 2003; addressing inefficiencies in the green-card process; ensuring that fees paid by employers hiring H-1B workers are dedicated to education and training programs for U.S. workers; etc. Approved 96-1 on October 3, 2000 (Roll No. 262). Signed into law (P.L. 106-313) on October 17, 2000. NAM Position: Yes.
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Y |
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| This official's percentage on this voting record: |
31%
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