What follows is the next in a series of diaries which will provide a year-by-year record of John Kerry's voting record in the US Senate, which has been summarized and excerpted from the
Project Vote Smart - Key Votes listing for Senator Kerry. This entry covers Sen. Kerry's voting record for the year,
1998.
Other Year's entries:
1988,
1989,
1990,
1991,
1992,
1993,
1994,
1995,
1996,
1997,
1998,
1999,
2000,
2001,
2002
2003,
2004.
Summaries continued in comments below.
Summary for 1998
Category: Family and Children Issues
- Fiscal 1999 Budget Resolution - Child Care Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to allow consideration of an amendment to create a reserve fund to improve the affordability, availability and quality of child care.
S Con Res 86: Budget Resolution FY 1999-2003
Vote on a procedural motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to allow consideration of an amendment to create a deficit-neutral* reserve fund to improve the affordability, availability and quality of child care.
[*Deficit-neutral is a principle that means a program will not affect the size of the deficit.]
Motion introduced by Dodd, D-CT; original resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Motion rejected 50-48 on 3/31/98; 3/5th vote required)
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State - Juvenile Justice
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to table an amendment to increase the amount of money appropriated for Juvenile Justice block grants from $100 million to $150 million.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to increase the amount of money appropriated for Juvenile Justice block grants from $100 million to $150 million. The increased funding would go towards increased law enforcement of juveniles. The increase would be offset by a decrease in juvenile crime prevention programs, from $95 million to $45 million.
Tabling motion introduced by Gregg, R-NH; amendment introduced by Sessions, R-AL; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Tabling motion passed 64-36 on 7/22/98)
Category: Environmental Issues
- Private Property Rights - Cloture
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to closer further debate on a bill to allow property owners to appeal local land use decisions in federal courts and to establish an expedited process for land use disputes with the federal government or state and local governments.
S 2271: Property Rights Implementation Act of 1998
Vote on a cloture motion, to close further debate on a motion to consider a bill to allow property owners to appeal local land use decisions in federal courts and establish an expedited process for land use disputes with the federal government or state and local governments. The bill would allow property owners, after submitting one meaningful application and one appeal which have been denied, to appeal to a federal court for relief if their claim is based on the 'takings' provision of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. The bill would also allow plaintiffs to select either the U.S. district courts or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims when asserting a taking in violation of the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. [Current law grants original jurisdiction over 5th Amendment takings claims to the Court of Federal Claims, and all other challenges to agency actions to district courts.]
Cloture motion introduced by Hatch, R-UT; bill introduced by Hatch, R-UT.
(Cloture motion rejected 52-42 on 7/13/98; 3/5th vote required)
- FY 1999 Interior Approp - Mining Regulations
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment that removes language from the bill delaying the implementation of certain mining regulations until the National Academy of Sciences conducts a study.
S 2237: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment that removes language from the bill delaying the implementation of certain mining regulations [scheduled to be implemented November 15] until the National Academy of Sciences conducts a study. The study would be conducted through December 2000.
Tabling motion introduced by Murkowski, R-AK; amendment introduced by Bumpers, R-AR.
(Tabling motion passed 58-40 on 9/15/98)
- King Cove, Alaska Land Transfer - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to require the Interior Department to transfer approximately 30 miles of land to the King Cove Corporation for the purpose of constructing a one-lane road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
S 1092: King Cove Health and Safety Act of 1997
Vote to require the Interior Department to transfer approximately 30 miles of land to the King Cove Corporation for the purpose of constructing a one-lane road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The bill would grant right-of-way over 7 miles and would connect King Cove, Alaska to Cold Bay, Alaska.
Bill introduced by Murkowski, R-AK.
(Bill passed 59-38 on 10/1/98)
- Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to ratify an agreement between Texas, Maine and Vermont for the disposal of radioactive waste.
HR 629: Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Consent Act
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to ratify an agreement between Texas, Maine and Vermont for the disposal of radioactive waste. The compact calls for Texas to accept low-level radioactive waste from Vermont and Maine, in exchange for funding by Vermont and Maine of up to $25 million each to develop the disposal site.
Bill introduced by Barton, R-TX.
(Conference Report adopted 78-15 on 9/2/98)
Category: Congressional Affairs
- Intelligence Disclosure - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill to allow employees of relevant agencies to provide greater disclosure of classified materials to members of Congress by the CIA, the FBI, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency and the National Security Agency in situations where employees believe possible wrongdoing or gross mismanagement has occurred.
S 1668: Intelligence Disclosure to Congress
Vote to pass a bill to allow employees of relevant agencies to provide greater disclosure of classified materials to members of Congress by CIA, the FBI, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency the National Security Agency, and any other agency whose primary function is foreign intelligence or counterintelligence. Included information refers to any information believed to provide direct and specific evidence of: a violation of law, rules or regulations; a false statement to Congress, and; gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, a flagrant abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.
Bill introduced by Shelby, R-AL.
(Bill passed 93-1 on 3/9/98)
- FY 1999 Treasury-Postal Approp - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill providing $29.9 billion in funding for the Treasury Department, Postal Service, Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies for fiscal year 1999.
HR 4104: Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to pass a bill providing $29.9 billion in funding for the Treasury Department, Postal Service, Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies for fiscal year 1999. The bill provides $4.6 billion more than in fiscal 1998 and $3.1 billion more than requested by the president. The bill includes $3.25 billion in emergency funding to fix the Year 2000 computer problem, provides a 3.6 percent cost-of-living increase for certain federal workers, and freezes salaries for members of Congress.
Bill introduced by Kolbe, R-AZ.
(Bill passed 91-5 on 9/3/98)
Category: Immigration
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State-Temporary Farm Workers
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to create a national registry containing names of U.S. workers who want to perform temporary or seasonal agricultural work, and to require the Attorney General to allow more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to create a national registry containing names of U.S. workers who want to perform temporary or seasonal agricultural work, to require the Attorney General to allow more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work through increasing the number of H-2A visas issued, to establish a prevailing wage standard, and to require farmers to provide housing and travel reimbursements, among other provisions.
Amendment introduced by Smith, R-OR; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Amendment passed 68-31 on 7/23/98)
- Visas for Skilled Workers - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to pass a bill to increase the number of temporary visas granted to highly skilled workers from 65,000 to 115,000 by 2000.
S 1723: American Competitiveness Act
Vote to pass a bill to increase the number of H1-B temporary visas granted to highly skilled workers, from 65,000 to 115,000 by the year 2000. The increase in visas granted is authorized through 2002.
Bill introduced by Abraham, R-MI.
(Bill passed 78-20 on 5/18/98)
- Visas for Skilled Workers - U.S. Worker Recruitment
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment requiring employers to certify they have made efforts to recruit American workers when applying for temporary highly-skilled workers through the H1-B visa program.
S 1723: American Competitiveness Act
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment requiring employers to certify they have made efforts to recruit American workers when applying for temporary highly-skilled workers through the H1-B visa program. The amendment calls for employers to make a good faith at recruitment within the United States using procedures that meet industry-wide standards, and offering employment to any qualified U.S. worker who applies.
Tabling motion introduced by Abraham, R-MI; amendment introduced by Kennedy, D-MA; bill introduced by Abraham, R-MI.
(Tabling motion passed 59-39 on 5/18/98)
Category: Defense
- National Missile Defense - Cloture [May 1998]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to limit further debate on a motion to proceed to a bill that would require the U.S. to deploy an effective National Missile Defense system as soon as possible.
S 1873: American Missile Protection Act of 1998
Vote on a cloture motion, to limit further debate on a motion to proceed to a bill that would require the U.S. to deploy as soon as possible an effective National Missile Defense system capable of defending against a limited ballistic missile attack.
Bill introduced by Cochran, R-MS.
(Cloture motion failed 59-41 on 5/13/98; 3/5th vote required)
- FY 1999 Foreign Operations Approp - Nuclear Test Ban
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to authorize $28.9 million to fund the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission.
S 2334: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to authorize $28.9 million to fund the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission. [The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission would be responsible for monitoring compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The United States has not yet ratified the treaty.]
Amendment introduced by Specter, R-PA; bill introduced by McConnell, R-KY.
(Amendment passed 49-44 on 9/1/98)
- Military Const Line-Item Veto Disapproval-Veto Override
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to override the veto of a bill disapproving President Clinton's line-item veto of 38 projects in the fiscal year 1998 Military Construction appropriations bill.
HR 2631: Line Item Veto Cancellation Bill
Vote to override the veto of a bill disapproving President Clinton's line-item veto of 38 projects totaling $287 million in the fiscal year 1998 Military Construction appropriations bill.
(Passed 78-20 on 2/25/98; enacted into law)
- National Missile Defense - Cloture [Sept. 1998]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to limit further debate on a motion to proceed to a bill that would require the U.S. to deploy an effective National Missile Defense system as soon as possible.
S 1873: American Missile Protection Act of 1998
Vote on a cloture motion, to limit further debate on a motion to proceed to a bill that would require the U.S. to deploy as soon as possible an effective National Missile Defense system capable of defending against a limited ballistic missile attack.
Cloture motion introduced by Lott, R-MS; bill introduced by Cochran, R-MS.
(Cloture motion rejected 59-41 on 9/9/98; 3/5th vote required.)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization-Base Closures/Realignment
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on an amendment to make it more difficult for the administration to close bases without Congressional approval, that have at least 225 civilian employees, and to prohibit closing bases within four years after realigning them.
S 2057: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote on an amendment to make it more difficult for the administration to close bases without Congressional approval, that have at least 225 civilian employees, and to prohibit closing bases within four years after realigning them. [The current civilian employee minimum is 300.] The amendment also expresses the sense of Congress that no new base closures should be authorized until the current round [approved in 1990] is completed.
Amendment introduced by Inhofe, R-OK; bill introduced by Thurmond, R-SC.
(Amendment passed 48-45 on 6/25/98)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on final passage of a bill to authorize $270.5 billion in new budget authority for FY 1999.
HR 3616: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to authorize $270.5 billion in new budget authority for FY 1999. The conference report includes authorization for a 3.6 percent raise in military pay, authorizes $1.86 billion in emergency spending for U.S. troop operations in Bosnia, and tranfers authority over satellite export controls from the Commerce Department to the State Department, among other provisions.
Bill introduced by Spence, R-SC.
(Conference Report adopted 96-2 on 10/1/98)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization - Overseas Abortions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to end the ban on privately funded abortions in overseas military hospitals.
S 2057: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote on an amendment to eliminate the existing ban on privately funded abortions for military personnel and dependents in overseas military hospitals.
Amendment introduced by Murray, D-WA; bill introduced by Thurmond, R-SC.
(Amendment rejected 44-49 on 6/25/98)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization - Veterans' Health Care
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on an amendment to transfer $329 million from the Defense Department to the Veterans Affairs Department for veterans health care programs.
S 2057: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote on an amendment to transfer $329 million from the Defense Department to the Veterans Affairs Department for veterans health care programs. The transfer would be conducted by the Secretary of Defense in a manner which 'causes the least significant harm' to military readiness and to military personnel's quality of life.
Amendment introduced by Harkin, D-IA; bill introduced by Thurmond, R-SC.
(Amendment rejected 38-55 on 6/25/98)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill authorizing $274 billion for military construction, military activities of the Defense Department, and defense activities of the Energy Department.
S 2057: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote to pass a bill authorizing $274 billion for military construction, military activities of the Defense Department, and defense activities of the Energy Department. Among other provisions, the bill includes $1.9 billion to continue operations in Bosnia, makes it more difficult for the administration to close military bases without Congressional approval, authorizes a 3.6 percent military pay raise, and authorizes the President to waive a one-year moratorium on the use of anti-personnel landmines.
Bill introduced by Thurmond, R-SC.
(Bill passed 88-4 on 6/25/98)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization - Same-Gender Barracks
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on an amendment to prohibit the Defense Department from changing its same-gender training policy before the assigned commission files its report in March 1999.
S 2057: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote on an amendment to an amendment to prohibit the Defense Department from changing its same-gender training policy before the Commission on Military Training and Gender-Related Issues files its report in March 1999.
Amendment introduced by Snowe, R-ME; original amendment introduced by Brownback, R-KS; bill introduced by Thurmond, R-SC.
(Amendment passed 56-37 on 6/24/98; subsequently, the Brownback amendment was adopted by voice vote)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization - Gender Separation
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to require separate housing facilities and separate platoons for male and female recruits during basic training.
S 2057: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote on an amendment to require separate housing facilities and separate platoons for male and female recruits during basic training, to take effect no later than April 16, 1999.
Amendment introduced by Byrd, D-WV; bill introduced by Thurmond, R-SC.
(Amendment rejected 39-53 on 6/25/98)
Category: Gun Issues
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State - Background Checks
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to prohibit charging prospective gun owners a tax or fee to cover the cost of a background check, and to require the destruction of any information used during a background check if that person is allowed to purchase a firearm.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to an amendment to prohibit charging prospective gun owners a tax or fee
to cover the cost of a background check, and to require the destruction of any information used to conduct the background check if that person is allowed to purchase a firearm. The amendment also allows individuals to take legal action if these provisions are violated.
Both amendments introduced by Smith, R-NH; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Amendment passed 69-31 on 7/21/98; subsequently, the underlying amendment was passed by voice vote.)
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State - Gun Lock Requirement
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment to make it unlawful for gun dealers to sell handguns without trigger locks.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill an amendment to make it unlawful for gun dealers to sell handguns without providing trigger locks. Violation of the law would result in civil penalties, such as suspension or revocation of the dealer's license, or a fine.
Tabling motion introduced by Craig, R-ID; amendment introduced by Boxer, D-CA; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Tabling motion passed 61-39 on 7/21/98)
- FY 1999 Treasury-Postal - Ammunition Feeding Devices
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment that would prohibit the importation of large capacity ammunition clips.
S 2312: Treasury Department, Postal Service Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment that would prohibit the importation of large capacity ammunition clips. [Large capacity clips are those that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Current law prohibits large capacity clips from being manufactured in the U.S, but allowed those made overseas which were already under contract to enter the country.]
Tabling motion introduced by Campbell, R-CO; amendment introduced by Feinstein, D-CA.
(Tabling motion passed 54-44 on 7/28/98)
Category: Senior and Social Security Issues
- Fiscal 1999 Budget Res. - Soc. Sec. Retirement Acct
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on an amendment expressing the sense of the Senate that the Finance Committee should consider legislation to use the federal budget surplus to establish personal retirement accounts as a supplement to Social Security.
S Con Res 86: Budget Resolution FY 1999-2003
Vote on an amendment expressing the sense of the Senate that the Finance Committee should consider legislation this year to use the federal budget surplus to establish personal retirement accounts as a supplement to Social Security.
Amendment introduced by Roth, R-DE; original resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Amendment passed 51-49 on 4/1/98)
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State - Budget Surplus [Dem]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a sense of the Senate motion that Congress should continue to pay down the debt, work on bipartisan legislation to reform Social Security, and to reserve any budget surpluses for Social Security.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to pay down the national debt, work on bipartisan legislation to reform Social Security to protect it long term, and to reserve any budget surpluses in fiscal year 1999 for Social Security.
Amendment introduced by Hollings, D-SC; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Amendment rejected 47-53 on 7/22/98)
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State - Budget Surplus [Rep]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on a sense of the Senate motion that Congress should continue to pay down the debt, work on bipartisan legislation to reform Social Security, to save Social Security first, and to return any remaining surplus to American taxpayers.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to pay down the debt, work on bipartisan legislation to reform Social Security, to save Social Security first, and to return any remaining surplus to American taxpayers.
Amendment introduced by Gregg, R-NH; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Amendment passed 55-45 on 7/22/98)
Category: Civil Rights
- Religious Persecution - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill to create an office within the State Department to monitor religious persecution worldwide, to penalize government agencies through sanctions, unless the President chooses to waive sanctions based on certain criteria, and to deny visas to those identified as persecutors.
HR 2431: Freedom From Religious Persecution Act of 1998
Vote to pass a bill to create an Office of Religious Persecution Monitoring in the State Department to monitor religious persecution worldwide. The bill includes provisions to punish those involved in persecution by banning U.S. exports, requiring the U.S. government to oppose loans by multilateral development banks and the International Monetary Fund, and denying visas to those identified as persecutors, among other provisions. The bill allows for the President to waive any sanctions that he believes: are not in the national interest, would encourage religious persecution, or are not necessary because the country has stopped religious persecution. The bill also allows for the State Department to withhold sanctions for up to 90 days in order to negotiate an end to persecution.
Bill introduced by Wolf, R-VA.
(Bill passed 98-0 on 10/9/98)
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State-Secret Phone Recording
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to prohibit tape recording phone conversations without the consent of all people involved, unless the conversation is being recorded as part of a criminal investigation.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to prohibit tape recording phone conversations without the consent of all people involved unless the conversation is being recorded as part of a criminal investigation. The amendment also prohibits the interception of telephone conversations.
Amendment introduced by Bumpers, D-AR; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Amendment rejected 50-50 on 7/22/98)
Category: Military Issues
- National Missile Defense - Cloture [Sept. 1998]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to limit further debate on a motion to proceed to a bill that would require the U.S. to deploy an effective National Missile Defense system as soon as possible.
S 1873: American Missile Protection Act of 1998
Vote on a cloture motion, to limit further debate on a motion to proceed to a bill that would require the U.S. to deploy as soon as possible an effective National Missile Defense system capable of defending against a limited ballistic missile attack.
Cloture motion introduced by Lott, R-MS; bill introduced by Cochran, R-MS.
(Cloture motion rejected 59-41 on 9/9/98; 3/5th vote required.)
- FY 1999 Defense Authorization - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill authorizing $274 billion for military construction, military activities of the Defense Department, and defense activities of the Energy Department.
S 2057: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote to pass a bill authorizing $274 billion for military construction, military activities of the Defense Department, and defense activities of the Energy Department. Among other provisions, the bill includes $1.9 billion to continue operations in Bosnia, makes it more difficult for the administration to close military bases without Congressional approval, authorizes a 3.6 percent military pay raise, and authorizes the President to waive a one-year moratorium on the use of anti-personnel landmines.
Bill introduced by Thurmond, R-SC.
(Bill passed 88-4 on 6/25/98)
Category: Agriculture Issues
- FY 1999 Agriculture Approp - Agriculture Marketing Loan
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment to extend the repayment period for farmers to repay marketing loans and to remove the limits on the farmer's marketing loan rates.
S 2159: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to extend the repayment period for farmers to repay marketing loans from 9 months to 15 months and to remove the limits on the farmer's marketing loan rates until October 1, 1999.
Tabling motion introduced by Cochran, R-MS; amendment introduced by Daschle, D-SD.
(Tabling motion passed 56-43 on 7/15/98)
- FY 1999 Agriculture Approp - Livestock Price Reporting
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment to establish a three-year pilot program studying the effects of requiring price reporting for livestock.
S 2159: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to establish a three-year pilot program studying the effects of requiring price reporting for livestock.
Tabling motion introduced by Cochran, R-MS; amendment introduced by Kerrey, D-NE.
(Tabling motion rejected 49-49 on 7/15/98; subsequently, the Kerrey amendment was adopted by voice vote)
- FY 1999 Agriculture Approp - Food Safety
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to restore $66 million to the Food Safety Initiative, offset by decreases in funding for tobacco programs, the Agricultural Research Service and Department of Agriculture computer funding.
S 2159: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to restore $66 million to the Food Safety Initiative, offset by decreases in funding for tobacco programs, the Agricultural Research Service and Department of Agriculture computer funding. The increased spending for the Food Safety initiative would go towards increased inspections, food safety research, education and surveillance.
Amendment introduced by Harkin, D-IA; bill introduced by Cochran, R-MS.
(Amendment passed 65-34 on 7/15/98)
- FY 1999 Agriculture Approp - Economic Sanctions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to table an amendment to change the process for imposing unilateral economic sanctions.
S 2159: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to change the process for imposing unilateral economic sanctions. The amendment would establish guidelines to be followed by any legislation introduced establishing unilateral economic sanctions, and assessments by the executive and legislative branch about whether the guidelines are being met. The amendment would also call for the termination of sanctions after two years unless otherwise authorized by Congress, and would prohibit the president from imposing any sanction without 45 days' notice.
Tabling motion introduced by Stevens, R-AK; amendment introduced by Lugar, R-IN.
(Tabling motion passed 53-46 on 7/15/98)
- FY 1999 Commerce, Justice, State-Temporary Farm Workers
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to create a national registry containing names of U.S. workers who want to perform temporary or seasonal agricultural work, and to require the Attorney General to allow more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work.
S 2260: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote on an amendment to create a national registry containing names of U.S. workers who want to perform temporary or seasonal agricultural work, to require the Attorney General to allow more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work through increasing the number of H-2A visas issued, to establish a prevailing wage standard, and to require farmers to provide housing and travel reimbursements, among other provisions.
Amendment introduced by Smith, R-OR; bill introduced by Gregg, R-NH.
(Amendment passed 68-31 on 7/23/98)
- FY 1999 Interior Approp - Agriculture Marketing Loans
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table an amendment to remove the Agriculture Department's cap on farm assistance loans for crop year 1998 and to provide $1.5 billion in short-term loans and indemnity assistance.
S 2237: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to remove the Agriculture Department's cap on farm assistance loans for 1998 and to provide $1.5 billion in short-term loans and indemnity assistance. The amendment would also set the loan rate at 85 percent of the average price over the past five years, not including the highest and lowest years, and would give the Agriculture Department authority to extend the term of a loan from 9 months to 15 months, among other provisions.
Tabling motion introduced by Lugar, R-IN; amendment introduced by Daschle, D-SD.
(Tabling motion passed 53-41 on 9/14/98)
- Agriculture Export Sanctions - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass a bill to exempt certain food exports from sanctions on India and Pakistan.
S 2282: Agriculture Export Relief Act of 1998
Pass a bill to exempt certain food exports from sanctions on India and Pakistan. The bill exempts food exports that are supported by the Agriculture Department and medicine.
Bill introduced by McConnell, R-KY.
(Bill passed 98-0 on 7/9/98)
- Agricultural Reauthorization - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to provide $1 billion in crop insurance funding over five years, provide $600 million for agriculture research, and $818 million over five years to restore food stamp benefits to elderly and disabled legal immigrants.
S 1150: Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to provide $1 billion in crop insurance funding over five years, $600 million for agriculture research in food safety, genetic engineering and crop yields, and $818 million over five years to restore food stamp benefits to children under 18, and elderly and disabled legal immigrants who were in the country when the 1996 welfare reform law passed [Aug. 22, 1996].
Bill introduced by Lugar, R-IN.
(Conference report adopted 92-8 on 5/12/98)
- FY 1999 Agriculture Approp - Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on final passage of a bill to provide $55.9 billion in FY 1999 for agriculture spending.
HR 4101: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to provide $55.9 billion in FY 1999 for agriculture spending. The conference report includes $4.2 billion in funding for disaster relief, and does not include a ban on the use of federal funds to test or approve abortion-inducing drugs [such as RU-486], among other provisions.
Bill introduced by Skeen, R-NM.
(Conference Report adopted 55-43 on 10/6/98)
Category: Science and Medical Research
- Ban Cloning of Humans - Cloture Motion [Cut off debate]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to close debate on a bill to prohibit the creation of cloned human embryos.
S 1601: Human Cloning Prohibition Act
Vote on a cloture motion to close further debate on a bill to prohibit the creation of cloned human embryos and to create the National Commission to Promote a National Dialogue on Bioethics, among other provisions. [The scientific name for the process is human somatic cell nuclear transfer].
(Cloture motion failed 42-54 on 2/11/98; 3/5 vote required)
Category: Legal Issues
- Consumer Bankruptcy - Attorney Liability
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table a substitute amendment to make debtors liable for court costs if they lose their case, or if they are shifted from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13* of the bankruptcy code.
S 1301: Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1998
Vote to table, or kill, a substitute amendment to make debtors liable for court costs if they lose their case, or if they are shifted from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13* of the bankruptcy code. The amendment would replace language that holds debtors' attorneys liable for court costs if they are 'not substantially justified' in filing the claim. [*Chapter 7 dismisses all debts after the debtor sells non-exempt assets to pay off creditors. Items such as home furniture, work tools are exempt in many cases. Chapter 13 requires a debtor to draw up a plan to repay as much as possible over a 3 to 5 year period.]
Tabling motion introduced by Grassley, R-IA; amendment introduced by Feingold, D-WI; bill introduced by Grassley, R-IA.
(Tabling motion passed 57-42 on 9/22/98)
- Tobacco Settlement - Cap on Attorney's Fees [6/11]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to place limits on the hourly rate attorneys involved in tobacco litigation can collect.
S 1415: Universal Tobacco Settlement Act
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to place limits on the hourly rate attorneys involved in tobacco litigation can collect. The amendment would place a limit of $1000 per hour plus 200 percent of actual out-of-pocket expenses.
Tabling motion introduced by Kerry, D-MA; attorney's fees amendment introduced by Faircloth, R-NC; original bill introduced by McCain, R-AZ.
(Tabling motion agreed to 50-45 on 6/11/98)
- Tobacco Settlement - Cap on Attorney's Fees [6/16]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on an amendment to place limits on the hourly rate attorneys representing tobacco plaintiffs can collect.
S 1415: Universal Tobacco Settlement Act
Vote on an amendment to an amendment to a recommital motion to place limits on the hourly rates attorneys representing tobacco plaintiffs can collect. The maximum fees an attorney can collect per hour depend on when legal action was filed. The amendment calls for the following fee schedule: $4000 per hour for legal actions filed before December 31, 1994; $2000 per hour for actions filed on or after December 31, 1994 but before April 1, 1997; $1000 for actions filed on or after April 1, 1997 but before June 15, 1998; and $500 for actions filed after June 15, 1998.
Amendment introduced by , Gorton, R-WA; original bill sponsored by McCain, R-AZ.
(Amendment adopted 49-48 on 6/16/98)
- Securities Litigation Reform - Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill to require securities class action lawsuits to be filed in federal court.
S 1260: Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of 1998
Vote to pass a bill to require securities class action lawsuits involving more than 50 parties, to be filed in federal court. [The bill clarifies the securities litigation law passed in 1995.]
Bill introduced by Gramm, R-TX.
(Bill passed 79-21 on 5/13/98)
- Tobacco Settlement - Drug Prevention [Democratic]
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to replace the Coverdell drug prevention amendment with a Democratic substitute that would authorize funds for anti-drug programs and would prohibit federal funding of needle exchange programs for one year.
S 1415: Universal Tobacco Settlement Act
Vote on a substitute amendment to replace the Coverdell drug prevention amendment with a Democratic substitute. The Democratic substitute would fund its anti-drug provisions through general revenues, instead of money raised from the tobacco settlement. The amendment would also prohibit the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs for one year and would create a registry for convicted drug dealers, among other provisions.
Amendment introduced by Daschle, D-SD; bill introduced by McCain, R-AZ.
(Amendment rejected 45-53 on 6/9/98)
- Tobacco Settlement - Drug Prevention
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to authorize $16 billion over five years to stop the importation of drugs into the U.S. The amendment would also prohibit needle exchange programs and to provide vouchers for children of violent crime on school property to attend private schools.
S 1415: Universal Tobacco Settlement Act
Vote on an amendment to authorize $16 billion over five years, paid for by money in the tobacco settlement, to stop the importation of drugs into the U.S., including an increase in Custom Service Border guards and increased funding for certain federal agencies for drug interdiction. The amendment also prohibits the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, provides funding to assist communities and employers in developing anti-drug programs, permits the use of federal funds for private school vouchers for children who have been victims of violent crime on school grounds, and would create a registry for convicted drug dealers, among other provisions.
Amendment introduced by Coverdell, R-GA; recommital motion introduced by Gramm, R-TX; bill introduced by McCain, R-AZ.
(Amendment adopted 52-46 on 6/9/98)
- Product Liability Overhaul - Cloture
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to close debate on a bill to set a nationwide standard for product liability lawsuits.
S 648: Product Liability Reform Act of 1997
Vote to invoke cloture [close debate] on a substitute amendment to a bill to set a nationwide standard for product liability lawsuits. Among other provisions, the bill would reduce manufacturers' legal liability for faulty or dangerous products by limiting punitive damages to $250,000 in cases against businesses with less than 25 employees and annual revenues less than $5 million. The bill exempts tobacco companies and silicone breast implant manufacturers from the provisions limiting damage.
Cloture motion introduced by Lott, R-MS; substitute amendment introduced by Lott, R-MS; bill introduced by Gorton, R-WA.
(Cloture motion rejected 51-47 on 7/9/98; 3/5th vote required)