Congressman Donovan Votes On May 12, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, H.R. 1732 (roll call vote 219). This legislation would require the EPA and the Army Corp of Engineers to withdraw a proposed rule that would expand the number of bodies of water covered under the Clean Water Act. This new rule would require a permit by the Corps to dispose of dredged or fill material from development projects near regulated waters. On May 13, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, H.R. 36 (roll call vote 223). This legislation would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks unless the life of the mother is in jeopardy or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. On WNYC s Brian Lehrer show on April 30, 2015 when asked whether he (Donovan) would vote to put more federal restrictions on abortion he said No. On May 14, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Brooks amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, H.R. 1735 (roll call vote 229). This amendment would eliminate language from the defense authorization establishing a sense of Congress calling for the secretary of Defense to consider allowing recipients of President Obama s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to serve in the military. On June 9, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Commodity End-User Relief Act, H.R. 2289 (roll call vote 309). This legislation will weaken Dodd-Frank by making it more burdensome for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to regulate derivatives and swaps (Two financial instruments at the center of the 2008 financial meltdown). This legislation will also open every proposed CFTC rule to lawsuit and would also prohibit regulation of transactions booked by foreign subsidiaries of U.S. banks, including transactions that have a direct and significant connection to the U.S. economy On June 10, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015, H.R. 2393 (roll call vote 333). This Act repeals the country of origin labeling requirements for beef, pork, and chicken. On June 18, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Protect Medical Innovation Act, H.R. 160 (roll call vote 375) which repealed the 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical devices. Repealing the excise tax will increase the national debt by 24.4 billion by 2025. About half of medical devices are exempt from the tax including eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, or any other medical device that the public generally buys at retail for individual use. A January 2015 report by the Congressional Research Service determined that the effect of the tax on the price of healthcare is negligible and that there would be fairly minor effects on the U.S. medical device industry and on jobs. The legislation adds to the national debt because it does not contain any revenue offset. On June 23, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015, H.R. 1190 (roll call vote 376). This Act repeals the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that established the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). If the projected per capita growth rate for Medicare exceeds the target growth rate, IPAB must develop a proposal to reduce Medicare spending. Under the law "the proposal shall not include any recommendation to ration health care, raise revenues or Medicare beneficiary premiums, increase Medicare beneficiary cost sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments), or otherwise restrict benefits or modify eligibility criteria." The IPAB proposal could only be overridden with a three-fifths majority of both houses of Congress, or Congress could institute its own reductions of an equal amount to what the IPAB proposed. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 1190 would increase direct spending by $7.1 billion over the 2022-2025 period. The Act also cuts $8.25 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund. The Fund was established to provide for expanded and sustained national investment in prevention and public health programs to improve health and help restrain the rate of growth in private and public health care costs. On June 24, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015, H.R. 2042 (roll call vote 384). This legislation undermines the public health protections of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by threatening to slow or stop U.S. progress in cutting dangerous carbon pollution from power plants.
On June 25, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on a motion by Congressman McCarthy, House Resolution 341 (roll call vote 385) to refer to the Committee on House Administration the privileged resolution by Congressman Thompson of Mississippi directing the Speaker of the House to remove any state flag containing any portion of the Confederate battle flag, other than a flag displayed by the office of a Member of the House, from any area within the House wing of the Capital or any House office building, and shall donate any such flag to the Library of Congress. Every Republican but one voted yea, all Democrats voted nay. On July 9, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea to table House Resolution 355 (roll call vote 426) and refer it to Committee. Resolved, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall remove any State flag containing any portion of the Confederate battle flag, other than a flag displayed by the office of a Member of the House, from any area within the House wing of the Capitol or any House office building, and shall donate any such flag to the Library of Congress. Every Republican but one voted yea. All Democrats voted nay. On July 23, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015, H.R. 1599 (roll call vote 462). This Act preempts states from requiring labeling of GMO foods. Opponents are referring to this as the Dark Act, Deny Americans the Right-To Know Act. On July 28, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 (REINS Act) H.R.427 (roll call vote 428). This Act amends Chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code. At present Congress can vote to stop a regulation from being implemented. Since a President will always veto a bill to stop a regulation, two-thirds of both Houses would be needed to override a veto. The REINS Act would require both Houses of Congress to approve all regulations with an economic impact of $100 million or more. In reality this would prevent almost every rule and regulation from being implemented. This accomplishes a goal of the Republican Party to prevent new rules and regulations. On July 28, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Capps amendment (House Amendment 687) to the REINS Act (roll call vote 476). The Capps amendment would ensure that any rule intended to ensure the safety of natural gas or hazardous materials pipelines or prevent, mitigate, or reduce the impact of spills from such pipelines is not considered a "major rule" under the bill. On July 28, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Cicilline amendment (House Amendment 688) to the REINS Act (roll call vote 477). The Cicilline amendment would exempt rules pertaining to the protection of the public health or safety from the requirements of the Act. On July 28, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Cicilline amendment (House Amendment 689) to the REINS Act (roll call vote 478). The Cicilline amendment would exempt rules pertaining to the safety of any products specifically designed to be used or consumed by a child under the age of 2 years (including cribs, car seats, and infant formula). On July 28, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Nadler amendment (House Amendment 690) to the REINS Act (roll call vote 479). The Nadler amendment would exempt any rule pertaining to nuclear reactor safety standards in order to prevent nuclear meltdowns like the one in Fukushima. On July 28, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Pocan amendment (House Amendment 691) to the REINS Act (roll call vote 480). The Pocan amendment would exempt any rule pertaining to the availability of affordable medication and effective healthcare management for veterans. On September 11, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on H.R. 3461 (roll call vote 493) to approve the P5+1 agreement.
On September 18, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, H.R. 3134 (roll call vote 505). The Act prohibits, for a one-year period, the availability of federal funds for any purpose to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., or any of its affiliates or clinics, unless they certify that the affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion during such period. The restriction will not apply in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. On WNYC s Brian Lehrer show on April 30, 2015 when asked whether he (Donovan) would vote to put more federal restrictions on abortion he said No. On October 7, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea (roll call vote 536) to allow the Select Committee in Benghazi to continue to operate. The Yea vote tabled a motion by Congresswoman Slaughter to disband the Committee. On October 7, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Homebuyers Assistance Act, H.R. 3192 (roll call vote 540). This legislation delays from October 3, 2015 to February 1, 2016 the The Know Before You Owe regulation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This regulation requires mortgage lenders and settlement agents to provide homebuyers with simpler forms that explain the true cost of buying their home at least three days before closing. On October 9, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the To adapt to changing crude oil market conditions bill, H.R. 702 (roll call vote 549). Since the oil embargo of the 1970s U.S. law has prohibited, with limited exemptions, the export of domestically-produced crude oil. The rational for this prohibition is to help insulate the U.S. economy from supply disruptions and oil embargoes. There is no restriction on exporting petroleum products, such as gasoline, derived from domestically-produced crude oil. A yea vote was a vote to lift the prohibition against exporting domestically-produced crude oil. On October 21, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on The Default Prevention Act, H.R. 692 (roll call vote 557). Douglas Holtz-Eakin, an economics adviser to Republicans and the former director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, called the Act political cover [for Republicans] but not a solution [to prevent the government from defaulting] of any type. The Act would require, if the debt ceiling is not raised, that the Treasury prioritize which of the 80 million debt payments to pay each month. Tony Fratto, a former Treasury official and spokesman in George W. Bush s administration, has said prioritizing payments would be more difficult than it sounds since the receipts that Treasury brings in day to day can vary wildly. Steve Bell, a former Republican staffer with the Senate Budget Committee has said that the economic impact of the United States government not honoring literally billions of dollars worth of domestic commitments, bills, beneficiaries, I think it would change the nature of the United States. On October 23, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015, H. R. 3762 (roll call 568). The Act prohibits, for one year, any State from using Medicaid funds to pay an entity such as Planned Parenthood that performs elective abortions. This is the third time since being elected that Congressman Donovan has gone back on his campaign promise not to vote to put more federal restrictions on abortions. The Act also defunds the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was created to help prevent, detect early, and manage medical conditions before they become severe, weakens the Medicare Part A trust fund, likely making it insolvent earlier, and rolls back coverage gains and would cost millions of hard-working middle-class families the security of affordable health coverage. On October 27, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Retail Investor Protection Act, H.R. 1090 (roll call vote 575). The Act indefinitely delays the Department of Labor rule requiring retirement advisers to abide by a "fiduciary" standard by putting their clients' best interest before their own profits. Loopholes in the current retirement advice rules have allowed conflicts of interest where some brokers and other advisers recommend products that put their own profits ahead of their clients' best interest. These conflicts of interest have resulted in annual losses to retirement accounts of about 1 percentage point a year about $17 billion per year in total. By voting yea Congressman Donovan supported keeping the loopholes open.
On November 18, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Portfolio Lending & Mortgage Access Act H.R. 1210 (roll call vote 636). H.R. 1210 weakens the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau s Ability-to-Repay standards for mortgage loans. These standards are designed to protect consumers against the kind of toxic and exploitative mortgage loans which helped cause the financial crisis and led to massive consumer losses, and should not be weakened. The bill would allow all depository institutions, regardless of size, that originate or hold a loan in portfolio to receive a legal safe harbor, even if the loans present safety and soundness concerns and contain terms and features that are abusive and harmful to consumers. On November 18, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Reforming CFPB Indirect Auto Financing Guidance Act, H.R. 1737 (roll call vote 637). H.R. 1737 weakens the ability of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to address discrimination against minority borrowers in auto financing. On December 1, 2015, during the second day of the World Climate Change Summit in PARIS, Congressman Donovan voted twice (roll call votes 650 & 651) to block EPA regulations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The first vote was to block cutting emissions by 32% from current power plants and the second vote was to block setting limits on greenhouse gas emissions from newly built power plants. On December 2, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Beyer amendment to the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, H.R. 8 (roll call vote 659). This amendment would have prevented rolling back the goal set in 2007 for new Federal buildings to have net-zero energy usage by 2030. On December 2, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Schakowsky amendment to the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, H.R. 8 (roll call vote 660). This amendment would have preserved an existing consumer right to pursue breach of warranty claims against product manufacturers that inaccurately claim Energy Star compliance. A nay vote was a vote to give manufacturers immunity. On December 2, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Tonko amendment to the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, H.R. 8 (roll call vote 661). The amendment would have removed wording from the Act that required that the government expedite approval of gas pipelines. A nay vote is a vote to expedite. On December 2, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Barton amendment to the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, H.R. 8 (roll call vote 664). The amendment would lift the ban on the export of U.S. crude oil that has been in place since the 1970s oil crisis. On December 3, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted nay on the Pallone amendment to the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, H.R. 8 (roll call vote 670). The amendment would have required the Energy Information Administration to analyze and issue a report on the Act s carbon impacts before the provisions of the Act could be implemented. A nay vote is a vote against addressing global warming. On December 3, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, H.R. 8 (roll call vote 672). The Act undermines and stifles already successful initiatives designed to modernize the Nation's energy infrastructure and increase our energy efficiency. On December 10, 2015, Congressman Donovan voted yea to table a resolution (roll call vote 688) that would have required Speaker Ryan to immediately schedule a vote on the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015, H.R. 1076. A yea vote was a vote to prevent the House from voting on the Act. On January 6, 2016, Congressman Donovan voted to repeal but not replace the Affordable Care Act (roll call vote 6). An analysis of the impact of the repeal by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the number of nonelderly people in the United States with health insurance coverage would decline by about 16 million in most years, of which 10% to 15% would be children.
On January 6, 2016, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the motion to concur with the Senate amendment to the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015, H.R. 3762. (roll call vote 6) (See October 23, 2015 roll call vote 568 for details of Act.) An analysis of the impact of the Act by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the number of nonelderly people in the United States with health insurance coverage would decline by about 16 million in most years, of which 10% to 15%would be children. On January 7, 2016, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015, H.R. 712 (roll call vote 12). The Act will impede the ability of federal agencies to protect public health, welfare, safety, and our environment, as well as to promote economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation by requiring numerous, cumbersome layers of reporting from the agencies. It would introduce redundant processes for litigation settlements and spawn excessive, expensive, and time-consuming regulatory litigation. A yea vote is an anti-regulation vote. On January 7, 2016, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015 ( SCRUB Act), H.R 1155 (roll call vote 20). The SCRUB Act sets an arbitrary goal of cutting regulatory costs by 15%. It also requires that a federal agency could not issue a new regulation unless it cut old regulations that impose equal costs on the economy. A yea vote is an anti-regulation vote. On January 8, 2016, Congressman Donovan voted yea on the Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2015, H.R. 1927 (roll call vote 33). The Act also referred to as the Volkswagen Immunity Bill would eliminate most consumer class actions by forcing consumers to prove that they ve each suffered the exact same type and scope of injury from a company in order in order for their case to move forward as a class action. A yea vote is an anti-consumer vote. On February 2, 2016, Congressman Donovan voted yea to override President Obama s veto of the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015, H.R. 3762 (roll call vote 53). The Act prohibits, for one year, any State from using Medicaid funds to pay an entity such as Planned Parenthood that performs elective abortions. This is the fifth time since being elected that Congressman Donovan has gone back on his campaign promise not to vote to put more federal restrictions on abortions. The Act also defunds the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was created to help prevent, detect early, and manage medical conditions before they become severe, weakens the Medicare Part A trust fund, likely making it insolvent earlier. An analysis of the impact of the Act by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the number of nonelderly people in the United States with health insurance coverage would decline by about 16 million in most years, of which 10% to 15%would be children.