By Thomas Voting Reports

HOUSE

Funding to Avert Shutdown: The House on Jan. 18 voted, 230-197, to fund the government from Jan. 20 through Feb. 16 while renewing the Children’s Health Insurance Program for six years. A yes vote was to send the Senate a GOP bill (HR 195) that would keep the government open after Jan. 19.

Call for Trump Impeachment: The House on Jan. 19 tabled, 355-66, a measure (H Res 705) that sought to impeach President Trump based on “high misdemeanors” mainly involving his inflammatory and defamatory Twitter postings and public and private statements. A yes vote was in opposition to taking up the impeachment measure.

Abortion, Criminal Penalties: The House on Jan. 19 voted, 241-183, to add potential criminal liability for doctors and nurses to a 2002 law intended to ensure that fetuses that survive an attempted abortion receive adequate medical care. The law defines them as a “person” with full legal protections no matter their gestational age. A yes vote was to send HR 4712 to the Senate.

Financial Penalties on World Bank: The House on Jan. 17 passed, 237-184, a bill that would slash U.S. support of the World Bank by up to 30 percent unless the international institution changes its criteria for providing economic-development aid to the world’s 77 poorest countries and their 450 million residents. A yes vote was to send HR 3326 to the Senate.

SENATE

Renewal of Surveillance Law: The Senate on Jan. 18 passed, 65-34, a six-year renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The law is a key government tool for preventing foreign-based terrorist attacks on the United States but also a target of criticism that it imperils the privacy rights of innocent Americans. A yes vote was to send S 139 to President Trump.

KEY VOTES AHEAD

The House was scheduled to be in recess until Jan. 29, while the Senate’s legislative agenda was to be announced.