US House Passes Hard-Right Pentagon, DHS, and State Appropriations Bills. Here’s How Everyone Voted.

On Friday, the House passed spending bills related to the Department of State (and related programs), the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.

House Democratic Leadership recommended voting against all three. Here’s why:

• State Department & related appropriations: The bill cut funding by 12% from FY24 levels, a sign of House Republicans’ rejection of diplomacy and international aid. In particular, the bill zeroes out funding for the United Nations; prevents support for various UN entities like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF); prohibits funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); and provides no funding for clean energy or climate change mitigation. It passed 212 to 200. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) was the only Democrat to vote for it.
• Department of Homeland Security: The bill zeroes out the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) that provides financial support to state/local governments and nonprofits in support of humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants after they’re released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and appropriates $600 million to resurrect former President Trump’s border wall. The bill prohibits ICE officers from considering Secretary Mayorkas’ updated guidelines regarding enforcement actions in “protected areas” (e.g., include schools, hospitals, places of worship, child care centers, weddings, and funerals). It also underfunds cyber defense programs. It passed 212 to 203, with 5 Democrats voting for it. They were Don Davis (NC-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03).
• Department of Defense: The House bill both increases total spending but reduces funds for for climate mitigation and resilience; cuts support for LGBTQI+ rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and reproductive rights; and eliminates funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. It passed 217 to 198, with 5 Democrats voting for it. Again, they were They were Don Davis (NC-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03).

During the debate on these three bills, the House voted on a large number of amendments — passing some and rejecting others. Let’s take a look at them.

Immigration

• PASSED: Andy Ogles (TN-05)’s amendment to prohibit the implementation of Biden’s Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Palestinians — which delays efforts to deport Palestinians in the US given the humanitarian crisis back home — failed at first 206 to 208, with 3 Republicans — Mike Garcia (CA-27), Puerto Rico delegate Jennifer González-Colón, and Maria Salazar (FL-27) — voting no. However, the House took a revote, with non-voting delegates removed, and it passed 204 to 202, with only 1 Republican — Mike Garcia (CA-27) — voting no.
• PASSED: The House voted 235 to 176 to block funds from going to the Department of Veteran Affairs’s processing of medical claims for individuals detained by ICE — which Republicans have falsely argued is reducing access to care for veterans (when, by contrast, it means more funds to be reinvested in technology and other services). 27 Democrats shamefully joined Republicans in voting for it.

• FAILED: Glenn Grothman (WI-06)’s amendment to defund the Parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans program (under which citizens of these four countries, and their immediate family members, can be paroled into the US for a period of up to two years if someone in the US agrees to financially support them) failed 193 to 218, with 13 Republicans joining Democrats in voting against it.
• FAILED: Tom Tiffany (WI-07)’s amendment to prohibit funds from going to the extension of Temporary Protected Status to immigrants from El Salvador failed 190 to 222, with 18 Republicans voting no. Similarly, his amendment to block the extension of TPS for immigrants from Honduras (which dates back to 1999) failed 191 to 222, with 17 Republicans voting no.
• FAILED: Matt Rosendale (MT-02)’s amendment to block funding from the implementation of DHS’s recent memorandum on supporting more effective enforcement of wage protections, workplace safety, labor rights, and other employment laws and standards failed 189 to 222. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) joined 187 Republicans in voting for it, but 20 Republicans voted against it.
• FAILED: Chip Roy’s amendment to block Biden’s recent executive order ensuring that US citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can keep their families together failed 193 to 216, with 14 Republicans voting against it.

Democracy

• PASSED: The House voted 208 to 202 for an amendment from Claudia Tenney (NY-24) to prohibit funding from the State Department budget from going toward the implementation of Biden’s voting access Executive Order, which required the Departments of State and Defense to take steps to increase voting access for military and overseas voters. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) joined Democrats in voting no.
• PASSED: The House also voted for an amendment from Andy Ogles to prohibit funding from the DHS from going toward implementing Bidens’ voting access Executive Order (with exceptions of the sections on disability, Native American voting rights, and overseas voting) 207 to 206. That still leaves sections on expanding the number of registration agencies, modernizing vote.gov, being a model employer when it comes to making it easier for employees to vote, and expanding voting access for the incarcerated. Again, Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) joined Democrats in voting no.
• FAILED: Andrew Clyde (GA-09)’s amendment to level-fund the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency failed 94 to 302. The right-wing of the Republican Party hates CISA because of its work to combat disinformation.

United Nations and International Aid

• FAILED: Tom Tiffany (WI-07)’s amendment to prohibit funds from being used to pay any US contribution to the United Nations or any affiliated agency failed 149 to 259.
• FAILED: Victoria Spartz (IN-05)’s amendment to prohibit funding for the UN unless specifically authorized by Congress failed 182 to 230. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) joined Republicans, but 27 Republicans voted against it.
• FAILED: Scott Perry (PA-10)’s amendment to strike International Disaster Assistance funding failed 101 to 312.
• FAILED: Nancy Mace (SC-01)’s amendment to prohibit funds from going to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees failed 163 to 249. Democrats Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) voted yes, but 47 Republicans voted no.
• FAILED: Harriet Hageman (WY-AL)’s amendment to prohibit funding for the International Organization for Migration’s activities in the Western Hemisphere failed 187 to 225. Democrats Jared Golden (ME-02) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) voted for it, but 27 Republicans voted no.
• FAILED: Harriet Hageman (WY-AL)’s amendment to prohibit funding for the Food and Agriculture Organization failed 175 to 236. Jared Golden (ME-02) voted for it, but 34 Republicans voted no.
• Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14)’s amendment to prohibit funding for USAID failed 81 to 331.

Diplomacy and International Programs

• PASSED: The House voted 213 to 199 for Nancy Mace (SC-01)’s amendment to transfer $500 million from Migration and Refugee Assistance to International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement. The Migration and Refugee Assistance account is devoted to mitigating and resolving conflict-related displacement and supporting humanitarian action and diplomacy for displaced populations.
• 19 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for it, and 14 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it. The 19 Democrats were Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Angie Craig (MN-02), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Don Davis (NC-01), Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Jared Golden (ME-02), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jeff Jackson (NC-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Mike Levin (CA-49), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), David Trone (MD-06), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Susan Wild (PA-07).
• The 14 Republicans who voted against it were Tom Cole (OK-04), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), French Hill (AR-02), David Joyce (OH-14), Young Kim (CA-40), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Michael Turner (OH-10), and David Valadao (CA-22).
• FAILED: Paul Gosar (AZ-09)’s amendment to defund the TechCamp public diplomacy program, which hosts participant-driven workshops that connect private sector technology experts with journalists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society advocates, failed 156 to 254. Jared Golden (ME-02) and Marie Gluensekamp Perez (WA-03) joined 154 Republicans in voting for it. 54 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.
• FAILED: John Brecheem (OK-02)’s amendment to reduce funding for the US Institute of Peace to FY 2019 levels failed 164 to 244. Jared Golden (ME-02) and Marie Gluensekamp Perez (WA-03) joined 162 Republicans in voting for it. 43 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.
• FAILED: Brecheen’s amendment to reduce funding for educational and cultural exchange programs to FY2019 levels failed 164 to 246. Jared Golden (ME-02) and Marie Gluensekamp Perez (WA-03) joined 162 Republicans in voting for it. 46 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.

Climate Change

• PASSED: Barry Moore (AL-02)’s amendment to defund DOD climate change research and reallocate $4.9 million to fund enhancements to unmanned ground vehicles passed 210 to 201. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joined Republicans in voting for it, and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) joined Democrats in voting against it.
• FAILED: John Brecheem (AK-02)’s amendment to cut about $140 million from the Global Environmental Facility, a multilateral fund that provides grants and blended finance for environmental projects, failed 180 to 227. Jared Golden (ME-02) and Marie Gluensekamp Perez (WA-03) joined 178 Republicans in voting for it. 28 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.

Defunding Salaries

• FAILED: Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14)’s amendment to defund the salary of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin failed 103 to 308.
• FAILED: Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14)’s amendment to defund the salary of USAID Administrator Samantha Power failed 133 to 277.
• FAILED: Tim Burchett (TN-02)’s amendment to defund the salary of the Special Assistant to the Director of Programming at Voice of America failed 166 to 244.
• PASSED: Andy Biggs (AZ-05)’s amendment to defund the salary of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas passed 193 to 173. Puerto Rico delegate Jennifer González-Colón was the only Republican to vote no. However, Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14)’s effort to defund his salary failed 200 to 208, with 5 Republicans voting no and 1 voting present. Those 5 Republicans were Larry Buchson (IN-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), and Maria Salazar (FL-27), along with delegates Jennifer González-Colón and Amata Coleman Radewagen. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) voted present.

Ukraine

• FAILED: Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14)’s two amendments to prohibit funding for Ukraine failed 76 to 335 and then 70 to 342.
• FAILED: Paul Gosar (AZ-09)’s amendment to prohibit funds for the Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery failed 109 to 303.
• FAILED: Gosar’s amendment to prohibit funds for the Bilateral Security Agreement Between the United States of America and Ukraine failed 76 to 334.
• FAILED: Gosar’s amendment to prohibit funds to approve of Foreign Military Sales to Ukraine failed 61 to 350.
• FAILED: Democrat Dina Titus (NV-01)’s bipartisan amendment to ban the sale/transfer of cluster munitions, which are well-documented to cause disproportionate civilian harm, failed 129 to 284. 53 Republicans and 76 Democrats voted for it, a coalition of Democrats who care about human rights and Republicans who shill for Russia. Here are the 76 Democrats who voted for it (for good reasons):

Gaza

• PASSED: The House voted 209 to 200 for Mike Waltz (FL-06)’s amendment to defund the Gaza pier. John Garamendi (CA-08) strangely joined Republicans in voting yes.
• PASSED: The House voted 269 to 144 for Jared Moskowitz (FL-23)’s amendment to ban the State Department from citing statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry — an effort to delegitimize the death count in Gaza as a result of Israel’s ongoing attacks. As Barbara Lee (CA-12) noted in the debate, the Gaza Health Ministry’s numbers are “often the only information available about what is happening on the ground in Gaza” due to Israel’s barring foreign journalists and the inability of journalists and medical professionals there to account for all the bodies trapped under the rubble or found in mass graves.
• 62 Democrats shamefully voted for this amendment, along with all but 2 Republicans. Here are the 62 Democrats:

• PASSED: The House voted 216 to 197 for Andy Ogles (TN-05)’s amendment to prohibit the use of funds from being used to administer or enforce National Security Memorandum 20, i.e., the seemingly toothless executive order from earlier this year that requires recipients of US assistance to provide written assurances that they will use assistance in compliance with international law. (They were, of course, not opposed because it is toothless but because it was created as an accountability measure for Israel.)
• 9 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for it: Angie Craig (MN-02), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Jared Golden (ME-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Marilyn Strickland (MA-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15).

Other Middle Eastern Affairs

• PASSED: The House on a vote of 257 to 154 passed Joe Wilson (SC-02)’s amendment to clarify the funding prohibition of taxpayer dollars going to the Assad regime in the bill encompasses taxpayer dollars that are provided both directly and indirectly to the regime. This appears to be an attempt to block UN operations in Syria. 209 Republicans and 48 Democrats voted for it, and 154 Democrats voted against it. Here are the 48 Democrats:

• PASSED: The House voted 218 to 188 to pass Claudia Tenney (NY-22)’s amendment to prohibit federal funds to pay the salary of, reinstate, or reemploy Biden’s Iran envoy Robert Malley, who is under investigation for an alleged mishandling of classified information. 11 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for it: Colin Allred (TX-32), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Angie Craig (MN-02), Don Davis (NC-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Josh Harder (CA-99), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11).
• FAILED: Greg Steube (FL-17)’s amendment to prohibit funds from being provided to the Lebanese Armed Forces failed 103 to 308. Barbara Lee (CA-12) spoke against the amendment during the debate, noting that the Lebanese Armed Forces are the only main non-sectarian entity with public legitimacy in a country that has had intense sectarian conflict in recent years. The right-wing of the Republican Party argued for the amendment on isolationist “America First” grounds and factually inaccurate claims that US funds were helping Hezbollah. Three Democrats — Jared Golden (ME-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) — joined 100 Republicans in voting for it.

Regulatory Affairs

• PASSED: Tim Burcett (TN-02) and Kat Cammack (FL-03)’s amendment to block funds from being used to finalize any rule or regulation with an annual effect on the economy of $100+ million passed 210 to 204. Jared Golden (ME-02) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) joined Republicans in voting for it, and Nick LaLota (NY-01) and delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa) joined Democrats in voting against it.

Wasteful Pentagon Spending

• FAILED: The House on a vote of 161 to 251 rejected Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)’s amendment to prohibit funds from being used to carry out the Pentagon’s unfunded priorities list, the department’s annual wish list submission to Congress of what they would love to spend more money on if Congress were to give them more of it. In case you’ve forgotten, the Pentagon can’t pass an audit.
• 129 Democrats and 32 Republicans voted for the amendment, and 178 Republicans and 73 Democrats voted against it. Here are the 73 Democrats: