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,
1999.
Other Year's entries:
1988,
1989,
1990,
1991,
1992,
1993,
1994,
1995,
1996,
1997,
1998,
1999,
2000,
2001,
2002
2003,
2004.
Due to size constraints for stories, additional records are posted as comments in this diary
Summary for 1999
Category: Transportation Issues
- Transportation Approp. for FY 2000-Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to adopt the conference report making appropriations for transportation programs in Fiscal Year 2000.
HR 2084: Transportation Appropriations Act for FY 2000
Vote to adopt the conference report appropriating $50.2 billion for transportation programs. This includes funding for the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA], Coast Guard, Amtrak and transit programs.
Bill sponsored by Wolf, VA
(Conference Report adopted 88-3 on 10/04/99)
- Transportation Approp. for FY 2000--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill appropriating funds to the Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2000.
HR 2084: A bill making appropriations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2000.
Vote to pass a bill appropriating $49.5 billion in new budget authority for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and related programs for fiscal year 2000. Among other provisions, the bill includes non-binding amendments that encourage the investigation of issues such as over-booking of airline flights and withholding information of lower ticket fares. It also prohibits the sale of any personal information that can be obtained on a drivers license, or in any motor vehicle record without written consent of the individual to whom the information pertains.
Bill introduced by Wolf, R-VA
(Bill passed 95-0 on 9/16/99)
Category: Trade Issues
- China's Normal Trade Relations Status--Discharge Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on a motion to discharge from the Finance Committee the joint resolution reversing the President's decision regarding China's Normal Trade Relations Status.
S J Res 27: Disapprove of the extension of normal trade relations with China
Vote on a motion to discharge from the Finance Committee to the Senate floor the joint resolution reversing President Clinton's June 3, 1999 decision to extend normal trade relations with China for one year.
Resolution introduced by Smith, I-N.H.
(Resolution failed 12-87 on 7/20/99)
- African/Central American/Caribbean Trade-Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a bill to encourage trade with sub-Saharan African, Central American and Caribbean nations.
HR 434: African Growth and Opportunity Act
Vote on a bill to encourage trade with sub-Saharan African, Central American and Caribbean nations. Among other provisions, the bill would remove U.S. imposed tariffs and quotas on most products made in sub-Saharan Africa, Central American and the Caribbean. The measure would remove tariffs and quotas on textiles and apparel made with U.S. yarn and fabric. It would continue the Generalized System of Preferences which allows the President to lower tariffs and duties on developing nations and reauthorize Trade Adjustment Assistance programs which help nations hurt by U.S. trade policies. The Senate did not include several proposals to tie the trade benefits to human rights and worker rights considerations, but did include language that denies benefits to nations that do not enforce the child labor standards established by the International Labor Organization.
Bill sponsored by Crane, R-IL
(Bill passed 76-19: R 46-6; D 30-13 on 11/3/99)
Category: Family and Children Issues
- Juvenile Justice Overhaul--Violent Program Restrictions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to kill an amendment that would prohibit the distribution of violent video programming to the public during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience.
S 254: Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to prohibit the distribution of violent video programming to the public during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience. The amendment would require the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] to develop regulations within nine months, would exempt premium and pay-per-view services, and would allow other exemptions to be developed for programming such as news and sporting events.
Tabling motion introduced by Hatch, R-UT; amendment introduced by Hollings, R-SC; bill introduced by Hatch, R-UT.
(Tabling motion passed 60-39 on 5/13/99)
Category: Business and Consumers
- Y2K Liability--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on a bill limiting the damages that can be sought by a consumer as a result of the Y2K computer problem.
HR 775: Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act
Vote on a bill giving a time line and lawsuit damage limits that can be sought as a result of the Y2K computer problem. The bill only allows suits under this provision to be filed between January 1 1999 and January 1, 2003. Among other provisions the bill limits punitive damages and will not permit them to exceed $250,000 or 3 times the amount awarded for compensatory damages, which ever is greater.
Bill introduced by Davis, R-VA
(Bill passed 62-37 on 6/15/99)
- Small Business Loans for Year 2000 Problem
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Pass a bill to establish a loan guarantee program for small businesses to assist them in dealing with Year 2000 computer problems.
S 314: Small Business Year 2000 Readiness Act
Vote to pass a bill to establish a loan guarantee program for small businesses to assist them in dealing with Year 200 computer programs. The program would be terminated on December 31, 2000.
Bill introduced by Bond, R-MO.
(Bill passed 99-0 on 3/2/99)
- Deceptive Mailings--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a bill establishing new regulations regarding deceptive mailings such as sweepstakes.
S 335: Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act
Vote on a bill establishing new regulations regarding deceptive mailings such as sweepstakes, skill contests, matters designed to resemble checks, and mailings made in the likeness of government documents. Among other provisions the bill would require sweepstakes mailing to clearly inform the reader of the games rules and that the odds of winning are not improved by purchasing products advertised within the contest material, it would prohibit the mailing from depicting an individual as a winner of the contest unless the individual has actually won a prize and would implement more stringent penalties for those who send mail not complying with federal standards. The penalties could range from $50,000 to $2million, depending on how many mailings were sent.
Bill introduced by Collins, R-ME
(Bill passed 93-0 on 8/2/99)
- Oil Royalty Valuation System-Tabling Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table or kill an amendment preventing the Mineral Management Service from implementing a proposed new oil royalty valuation system.
HR 2466: An original bill making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000.
Vote to table or kill an amendment preventing the Mineral Management Service from implementing a proposed new oil royalty valuation system for drilling oil on federal lands until September 30, 2000. The valuation system is a tax percentage scale, based on the value of oil at the wellhead that the government uses to charge oil companies for oil collected on federal lands.
Tabling motion introduced by Nickles, R-OK, Amendment introduced by Hutchinson, R-TX, Bill introduced by Regula, R-OH
(Tabling motion failed 2-96 on 9/9/99)
Category: Social Issues
- Juvenile Justice--Cloture
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a motion to invoke cloture for the bill providing funding for the Juvenile Justice Bill.
HR 1501: Consequences for Juvenile Offenders Act of 1999
Vote on a motion to invoke cloture, which limits the debate, on a substitute amendment that would grant funding for programs designed at reducing violence among youth. The amendment of the Senate passed version of this bill contains several gun control provisions.
Motion introduced by Lott, R-MS, Bill introduced by McCollum, R-FL
(Motion passed 77-22 on 7/28/99)
- Reduction of Marriage Penalty--Amendment
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on an amendment moving up the starting date for the elimination of the marriage penalty to 2001.
S 1429: Taxpayer Relief Act of 1999
Vote on an amendment moving up the starting date for the elimination of the marriage penalty to 2001. The amendment would also push back the effective date for several other tax reductions and credits proposed in the bill.
Amendment introduced by Hutchison, R-TX, Bill introduced by Roth, R-DE
(Amendment passed 98-2 on 7/30/99)
- College-Age Credit Card Issuance-Tabling Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table [kill] an amendment that would restrict the issuance of credit cards to consumers under the age of 21.
S 625: A Bill to Revise U.S. Bankruptcy Laws
Vote to table [kill] an amendment that require consumers under the age of 21 to prove, either parental consent, or financial information that demonstrates an independent way of repaying debt, before they could be issued a credit card.
Tabling motion sponsored by Hatch, R-UT, Amendment sponsored by Dodd, D-CT, Bill sponsored by Grassley, R-IA
(Tabling motion passed 59-38: R 50-3; D 9-35 on 11/09/99)
Category: Foreign Aid and Policy Issues
- China's Normal Trade Relations Status--Discharge Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on a motion to discharge from the Finance Committee the joint resolution reversing the President's decision regarding China's Normal Trade Relations Status.
S J Res 27: Disapprove of the extension of normal trade relations with China
Vote on a motion to discharge from the Finance Committee to the Senate floor the joint resolution reversing President Clinton's June 3, 1999 decision to extend normal trade relations with China for one year.
Resolution introduced by Smith, I-N.H.
(Resolution failed 12-87 on 7/20/99)
- Emergency Supplemental Spending--US Troops in Kosovo
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to close further debate on an amendment to prohibit funding for military operations in Yugoslavia [including Kosovo], unless Congress first enacts a law containing specific
authorization for such operations.
S 544: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1999
Vote on cloture, to close further debate on an amendment to prohibit funding for military operations in Yugoslavia [including Kosovo], unless Congress first enacts a law containing specific authorization for such operations. The amendment provides exceptions for intelligence gathering or any measures necessary to defend U.S. armed forces against an immediate threat. [A cloture motion, if passed, cuts off a filibuster, which is unlimited debate. These motions require a 3/5th vote. If the cloture motion passes, the amendment or bill in question requires a majority vote to pass the Senate.]
Cloture motion introduced by Lott, R-MS; amendment introduced by Lott, R-MS; bill introduced by Young, R-FL.
(Amendment rejected 55-44 on 3/23/99;3/5th vote required.)
- FY 2000 Defense Auth.--Ground Troops to Kosovo
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to kill an amendment requiring the President to get Congressional approval before sending U.S. ground troops into Yugoslavia.
S 1059: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment requiring the President to get Congressional approval before sending U.S. ground troops into Yugoslavia. The amendment also would prohibit funding without Congressional approval except for peacekeeping personnel, unless authorized by a declaration of war or a joint resolution authorizing military force.
Tabling motion introduced by Warner, R-VA; amendment introduced by Specter, R-PA, bill introduced by Warner, R-VA
(Tabling motion passed 52-48 on 5/25/99)
- FY 2000 Defense Auth.--Restriction of Yugoslavian Funds
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to kill amendment prohibiting U.S. funds for military actions in Yugoslavia after October 1, 1999.
S 1059: National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2000
Vote to table or kill an amendment prohibiting U.S. funds for military actions in Yugoslavia after October 1, 1999 with the exception of intelligence and surveillance activity.
Tabling motion introduced by Warner, R-VA, Amendment introduced by Smith R-NH, Bill introduced by Warner, R-VA
(Motion passed 77-21 5/26/99)
- Foreign Operations Appropriations-Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to adopt the conference report making appropriations for foreign operations for Fiscal Year 2000.
HR 2606: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2000
Vote to adopt the conference report that appropriates $12.6 billion for foreign operations, $2 billion less than the administration had requested. Specifically, the measure would provide about $180 million less for the International Development Association, roughly $90 million less for debt relief programs to poor countries and no funding for the Wye River peace accord between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The bill faces a possible veto by the President.
Bill sponsored by Callahan, R-AL
(Conference Report adopted 214-211 on 10/05/99)
- Authorizing Air Operations in Yugoslavia--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to authorize the President to conduct military air operations and missile strikes in cooperation with NATO against Yugoslavia.
S Con Res 21: Kosovo Resolution
Vote to adopt a resolution to authorize the President to conduct military air operations and missile strikes in cooperation with NATO against Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).
Resolution introduced by Biden, D-DE.
(Resolution adopted 58-41 on 3/23/99)
- Richard Holbrooke Nomination-Confirmation
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to confirm the President's decision to nominate Richard Holbrooke to be the permanent representative of the U.S. to the United Nations.
Presidential Appointment Confirmation-Richard Holbrooke as U.S. representative to the United Nations
Vote to confirm the President's decision to nominate Richard Holbrooke, who is from the state of New York, as the permanent representative of the U.S. to the United Nations.
(Confirmation passed 81-16 on 8/5/99)
- Authorizing Use of all Necessary Force in Kosovo
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to kill a resolution that would authorize the President to use all necessary force in Yugoslavia.
S J Res 20: Authorizing Use of all Necessary Force in Kosovo resolution
Vote to table, or kill, a resolution to authorize the President to use all necessary force to accomplish U.S. and NATO goals in Yugoslavia.
Tabling motion introduced by Lott, R-MS; resolution introduced by McCain, R-AZ.
(Tabling motion passed 78-22 on 5/4/99)
- Disapproval of Puerto Rican Nationals Clemency-Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a joint resolution stating Congress' disapproval with the president's decision to grant clemency to members of a Puerto Rican independence group.
S J Res 33: A joint resolution deploring the actions of President Clinton regarding granting clemency to FALN terrorists.
Vote on a joint resolution stating that President Clinton should not have given clemency to members of a Puerto Rican independence group who were convicted of seditious conspiracy against the United States.
Joint resolution introduced by Lott, R-MS
(Joint Resolution passed 95-2 on 9/14/99)
- Foreign Operations Appropriations--Cuba Travel Policy
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to kill an amendment baring the president from regulating travel to Cuba.
S 1234: Foreign Operations Act
Vote to table or kill an amendment baring the president from regulating or prohibiting travel by U.S. citizens or legal residents from Cuba.
Tabling motion introduced by McConnell, R-KY, Amendment introduced by Dodd, D-CT, Bill introduced by McConnell, R-KY
(Tabling motion passed 55-43 on 6/30/99)
- Foreign Operations Appropriations-Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to adopt the conference report making appropriations for foreign operations for Fiscal Year 2000.
HR 2606: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2000
Vote to adopt the conference report that appropriates $12.6 billion for foreign operations, $2 billion less than the administration had requested. Specifically, the measure would provide about $180 million less for the International Development Association, roughly $90 million less for debt relief programs to poor countries and no funding for the Wye River peace accord between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The bill faces a possible veto by the President.
Bill sponsored by Callahan, R-AL
(Conference Report adopted 214-211 on 10/05/99)
- Foreign Operations Appropriations--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a bill appropriating funds for foreign operations programs for Fiscal Year 2000
S 1234: Foreign Operations Appropriations Act
Vote on a bill appropriating $12.7 billion in new budget authority for foreign aid programs in Fiscal Year 2000, $1.9 billion less than President Clinton requested.
Bill introduced by McConnell, R-KY
(Bill passed 97-2 on 6/30/99)
Category: Budget%2C Spending and Taxes
- Financial Services Overhaul--Community Reinvestment Act
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to kill an amendment that would remove language from the bill that exempts small and rural banks from Community Reinvestment Act requirements and modifies the level of proof required by complainants under the CRA.
S 900: Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment that would remove the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 [CRA] language in the bill. The language that would be stripped from the bill under the amendment exempts banks that have less than $100 million in assets and are located outside of metropolitan areas from the Community Reinvestment Act [CRA] and requires substantial, verifiable and timely information to be provided by those filing complaints under the CRA if a bank has received 'satisfactory CRA ratings for three years. The amendment would also require banks within holding companies allowed by the bill to have achieved a rating of 'satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs', or better as a condition for taking advantage of the removed restrictions within the bill.
[The Community Reinvestment Act requires banks to lend money in low-income or minority neighborhoods.]
Tabling motion introduced by Gramm, R-TX; amendment introduced by Bryan, D-NV; bill introduced by Gramm, R-TX.
(Tabling motion passed 52-45 on 5/5/99)
- Steel, Oil & Gas Guaranteed Loan Program--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill guaranteeing the solvency of a loan program for the Steel, Oil, and Gas industries.
HR 1664: Kosovo and Southwest Asia Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999
Vote to pass a bill guaranteeing the solvency and appropriating $170 million to maintain guaranteed loan programs for the Steel, Oil and Gas industries.
Bill introduced by Young, R-FL
(Bill passed 63-34 on 6/18/99)
- Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution-Medicare
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Express the sense of the Senate that the budget resolution does not adopt the President's proposals to extend the solvency of Medicare and that the Congress should work in a bipartisan fashion to extend the solvency of Medicare.
S Con Res 20: FY 2000 Congressional Budget Resolution
Vote to pass an amendment express the sense of the Senate that the budget resolution does not adopt the President's proposals to extend the solvency of Medicare and that the Congress should work in a bipartisan fashion to extend the solvency of Medicare. The amendment also states that Congress should consider the recommendations of the Chairmen of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare and continue to work with the President to fix the problems of Medicare.
Amendment introduced by Roth, R-DE; resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Amendment passed 56-43 on 3/25/99)
- Elimination of NEA Funds--Tabling Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to table an amendment eliminating funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
HR 2466: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,2000
Vote to table or kill an amendment that would eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tabling motion introduced by Gorton, R-WA, Amendment introduced by Smith, I-NH, Bill introduced by Regula, R-OH
(Tabling motion passed 80-16 on 8/5/99)
- FY 2000 Budget Resolution--Reserve Surplus for Medicare
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to allow consideration of an amendment to require that 40 percent of any non-Social Security budget surplus is reserved to extend the solvency of Medicare through 2020.
SConRes 20: FY 2000 Budget Resolution
Vote on a procedural motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to allow consideration of an amendment to require that 40 percent of any non-Social Security budget surplus is reserved to extend the solvency of Medicare through 2020. The amendment would also require a 3/5th vote to allow consideration of any motion that would decrease the Medicare surplus.
Amendment introduced by Conrad, D-ND; resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Motion rejected 45-54 on 3/24/99; 3/5th vote required)
- Reduction of Marriage Penalty--Amendment
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on an amendment moving up the starting date for the elimination of the marriage penalty to 2001.
S 1429: Taxpayer Relief Act of 1999
Vote on an amendment moving up the starting date for the elimination of the marriage penalty to 2001. The amendment would also push back the effective date for several other tax reductions and credits proposed in the bill.
Amendment introduced by Hutchison, R-TX, Bill introduced by Roth, R-DE
(Amendment passed 98-2 on 7/30/99)
- Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution-Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Adopt a budget resolution to set spending levels through 2009 and to set spending levels for fiscal year 2000 at $1.7 trillion.
H Con Res 68: FY 2000 Congressional Budget Resolution
Vote to adopt a budget resolution to set spending levels through 2009 and to set spending levels for fiscal year 2000 at $1.7 trillion. Among other provisions, the resolution includes tax cuts totaling $768.5 billion over ten years, unspecified cuts in discretionary spending in order to stay within the limits under law, and increases in defense and education spending
Resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Resolution passed 55-44 on 3/25/99)
- Social Security Surplus in Tax Cut--Tabling Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on a motion to use the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions.
S 1429: Taxpayer Relief Act of 1999
Vote on a motion to table or kill the motion to recommit the bill to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee with instructions directing the committee to "correct the fact that the bill uses" Social Security surpluses for tax breaks.
Tabling motion introduced by Domenici, R-NM, Bill introduced by Roth, R-DE
(Tabling motion passed 55-45 on 7/30/99)
- Tax Cut Proposal--Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on the adoption of a conference report having to do with a $792 billion dollar tax cut.
HR 2488: Financial Freedom Act of 1999
Vote on the adoption of a conference report having to do with a $792 billion dollar tax cut reducing taxes over the next 10 years. The bill would reduce each income tax rate by 1 percentage point and provide relief from "the marriage penalty" by raising the deduction for joint filers to twice the level of single filers, phased in over 5 years. It also phases out the estate tax, reduces the capitol gains tax rates from 10 percent and 20 percent to 8 percent and 18 percent, increases amount per year that can be transferred from an Individual Retirement Account and permit taxpayers who pay 50 percent or more of their health insurance premiums to fully deduct the cost of premiums.
Bill introduced by Archer, R-TX
(Conference Report passed 50-49 on 8/5/99)
- Prescription Drug Benefits from Medicare--Waive Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a motion to waive the Budget Act and allocate funds to create a Medicare prescription drug benefit program.
S 1429: Taxpayer Relief Act of 1999
Vote on a motion to waive the Budget Act and allocate funds to create a Medicare prescription drug benefit program. The motion would reduce the bill's overall tax cuts to provide the funding for the program.
Motion introduced Kennedy, D-MA, Bill introduced by Roth, R-DE
(Motion to waive (which requires a 3/5's majority) failed 45-55 on 7/29/99)
- FY 2000 Budget Resolution-Deficit Reduction
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Kill an amendment that would strike the tax cuts in the budget resolution and put the money towards federal debt reduction.
S Con Res 20: FY 2000 Congressional Budget Resolution
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to strike the tax cuts in the budget resolution and put the money towards federal debt reduction.
Tabling motion introduced by Domenici, R-NM; amendment introduced by Voinovich, R-OH; resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Tabling motion passed 67-32 on 3/25/99)
- Energy and Water Appropriations--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill making appropriations for energy and water developments for Fiscal Year 2000.
S 1186: Energy & Water Development Appropriations Act, 2000
Vote to pass a bill appropriating $21.71 billion for energy and water development projects for Fiscal Year 2000 in the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy, atomic energy, defense activities, the Power Marketing Administration, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Appalachian regional Commission, the Defense Nuclear facilities safety board, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Bill introduced by Domenici, R-NM
(Bill passed 97-2 on 6/16/99)
- Legislative Branch Appropriations--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill appropriating funding for the Legislative Branch for fiscal Year 2000
S 1206: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000
Vote to pass a bill appropriating $1.6 billion in funding for the Legislative Branch operations [excluding House operations]. Among other provisions the bill includes $489 million in funding for Senate operations, $163 million for the Architect of the Capitol, $78 million for the Government Printing Office, $71 million for the Congressional Research Service, and $26 million for the Congressional Budget Office.
Bill introduced by Bennett, R-UT
(Bill passed 95-4 on 6/16/99)
- Emer. Budget Process Designation-Soc. Security Lockbox
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to close further debate on an amendment that would require a supermajority vote (60 votes) to pass any tax or spending bill that would use the Social Security-related budget surplus.
S 557: Establishing Emergency Designation in Budget Process
Vote to adopt a cloture motion, to close further debate on an amendment that would require a supermajority vote (60 votes) to pass any tax or spending bill that would use the Social Security- related budget surplus. The amendment would also set a limit on the allowable publicly-held debt and would require that any Social Security surplus be spent towards paying down the debt over a ten-year period beginning in 2000.
Amendment introduced by Abraham, R-MI; bill introduced by Thompson, R-TN.
(Cloture motion rejected 54-44 on 4/22/99; 3/5th vote required)
- Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution-Tobacco Tax
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Allow consideration that would provide that the funding mechanism for a prescription drug program contained in the budget resolution be an increase in tobacco taxes.
S Con Res 20: FY 2000 Congressional Budget Resolution
Vote on a procedural motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to allow consideration of an amendment to provide that the funding mechanism for a prescription drug program contained in the budget resolution be an increase in tobacco taxes.
Motion introduced by Wyden, D-OR; point of order introduced by Bunning, R-KY; amendment introduced by Snowe, R-ME; resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Motion rejected 54-44 on 3/25/99; 3/5th vote required)
- College-Age Credit Card Issuance-Tabling Motion
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to table [kill] an amendment that would restrict the issuance of credit cards to consumers under the age of 21.
S 625: A Bill to Revise U.S. Bankruptcy Laws
Vote to table [kill] an amendment that require consumers under the age of 21 to prove, either parental consent, or financial information that demonstrates an independent way of repaying debt, before they could be issued a credit card.
Tabling motion sponsored by Hatch, R-UT, Amendment sponsored by Dodd, D-CT, Bill sponsored by Grassley, R-IA
(Tabling motion passed 59-38: R 50-3; D 9-35 on 11/09/99)
- Tax Cut Proposal--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote on a bill reducing federal taxes by $792 billion over the next 10 years.
S 1429: Taxpayer Refund Act of 1999
Vote on a bill reducing federal taxes by $792 billion over the next 10 years. Among other provisions the bill would reduce the lowest income tax bracket from 15 to 14 percent and at the same time increase the maximum income levels for the lowest bracket, provide relief from the "marriage penalty" by allowing couples to prepare their taxes as individuals on the same form, reduce estate and gift taxes, and increase the per year amount that may be transferred to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Bill introduced by Roth, R-DE
(Bill passed 57-43 on 7/30/99)
- Emergency Spending Debate--Cloture
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote on a motion of cloture on a bill regulating emergency spending.
S 557: A bill to provide guidance for the designation of emergencies as a part of the budget process.
Vote on a motion of cloture on the bill that establishes a Senate point of order against any emergency spending items that don't meet specific criteria. The motion to proceed is necessary to return to consideration of a Republican amendment that would create a Social Security "lockbox," establish declining limits on the public debt and create a Senate point of order against any provision that would exceed the debt limit.
Cloture motion introduced by Lott, R-MS et. al., Bill introduced by Thompson, R-TN
(Cloture motion passed 99-1 on 7/01/99)
- State Department Appropriations--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to pass a bill Authorizing Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 appropriations for the Department of State.
S 886: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001
Vote to pass a bill authorizing Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 appropriations for the Department of State and other foreign operations-related programs.
Bill introduced by Helms, R-NC
(Bill passed 97-2 on 6/22/99)
- FY 2000 Budget Resolution--Social Security and Medicare
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted YES.
Vote to allow consideration of an amendment to require the Senate to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security and extend the solvency of Medicare by at least 12 years before it can enact any tax increases or new spending.
SConRes 20: FY 2000 Budget Resolution
Vote on a procedural motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to allow consideration of an amendment to require the Senate to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security and extend the solvency of Medicare by at least 12 years before it can enact any tax increases or new spending.
Amendment introduced by Lautenberg, D-NJ; resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Motion rejected 45-54 on 3/24/99; 3/5th vote required.)
- Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution-Education Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Kill an amendment that would reduce the budget resolution's tax cut by 20% and redirect the money towards the Class Size Initiative and the Individuals with Disabilities Act, among other education programs.
S Con Res 20: FY 2000 Congressional Budget Resolution
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to reduce the budget resolution's tax cut by 20% and redirect the money towards the Class Size Initiative [to hire more teachers] and the Individuals with Disabilities Act [special education], among other education programs. The amendment would involve approximately $156 billion over ten years.
Tabling motion introduced by Gregg, R-NH; amendment introduced by Kennedy, D-MA; resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Tabling motion passed 54-45 on 3/25/99)
- Financial Services Overhaul--Regulatory Restrictions
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to kill an amendment that would allow bank subsidiaries to underwrite non-banking financial activities.
S 900: Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment that would allow bank subsidiaries to underwrite non-banking financial activities. [The bill requires any non-banking financial activities, such as insurance, merchant banking, and securities underwriting to be conducted through the holding companies allowed, rather than a direct operating subsidiary.]
Tabling motion introduced by Gramm, R-TX; amendment introduced by Shelby, R-AL; bill introduced by Daschle, D-SD.
(Tabling motion passed 53-46 on 5/6/99)
- Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution-Conference Report
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Adopt the budget resolution to set spending levels through 2009 and to set spending levels for fiscal year 2000 at $1.74 trillion.
H Con Res 68: FY 2000 Budget Resolution
Vote to adopt the budget resolution to set spending levels through 2009 and to set spending levels for fiscal year 2000 at $1.74 trillion. Among other provisions, the conference report includes approximately $778 billion in tax cuts over ten years and $536.3 billion in fiscal 2000 for discretionary budget authority. The resolution calls for $13.7 billion more in defense spending and $43.7 billion less in non-defense discretionary spending in fiscal 2000 than in fiscal 1999.
Bill introduced by Kasich, R-OH.
(Conference report passed 54-44 on 4/15/99)
- Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution-Agriculture Funding
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Kill an amendment that would provide $6 billion each year from 2000 through 2004 in additional agriculture funding.
S Con Res 20: FY 2000 Congressional Budget Resolution
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to provide $6 billion annually from 2000 through 2004 in additional agriculture funding.
Tabling motion introduced by Domenici, R-NM; amendment introduced by Dorgan, D-ND; resolution introduced by Domenici, R-NM.
(Tabling motion passed 53-45 on 3/25/99)
- Financial Services Overhaul--Passage
(Complete Information)
John Kerry voted NO.
Vote to overhaul the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 by removing restrictions on affiliations among banking, securities and insurance industries.
S 900: Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999
Vote to pass a bill to overhaul the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 by removing restrictions on affiliations among banking, securities and insurance industries. Among other provisions, the bill would allow the creation of financial holding companies through which: banks could sell insurance policies and underwrite securities, and insurance companies would be allowed to acquire banks. The bill also exempts banks that have less than $100 million in assets and are located outside of metropolitan areas from the Community Reinvestment Act [CRA] and requires substantial, verifiable and timely information to be provided by those filing complaints under the CRA if a bank has received 'satisfactory' CRA ratings for three years. The bill also requires all CRA deals be disclosed publicly and requires banks to disclose the fees they charge customers to use automated teller machines. [The Community Reinvestment Act requires banks to lend money in low-income or minority neighborhoods.]
Bill introduced by Gramm, R-TX.
(Bill passed 54-44 on 5/6/99)