ROLL CALL

WASHINGTON — Here's how area members of Congress — Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and Neal Dunn, R-Panama City, and Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. — voted on major issues in the week ending Feb. 9.
House

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN U.S. HOUSE: The House on Feb. 6 passed a bipartisan bill (HR 4924) that would reform the way it handles employees' sexual-harassment allegations against lawmakers. The bill prohibits House members from engaging in a sexual relationship with any staff member they supervise; requires lawmakers to personally pay settlements arising from their misconduct; establishes an employee-advocacy office that provides legal counsel and general support to complainants; allows victims to talk publicly about settlements and requires public disclosure of members' settlement payments.

The bill was passed on a non-record voice vote and is now before the Senate.

BLOCKING RULE ON MENU LABELING: Voting 266 for and 157 against, the House on Feb. 6 passed a bill (HR 772) that would effectively block a Food and Drug Administration rule on menu labeling set to take effect in May after nearly eight years of drafting. Under the rule, chains of 20 or more locations bearing the same name must prominently display "accurate, clear and consistent" nutrition information -- including calorie counts -- for standard menu items at the point of sale.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Voting yes: Gaetz, Dunn

DEREGULATION OF HOME-LENDING RULES: The House on Feb. 8 voted, 280 for and 131 against, to relax a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule designed to curb predatory home-lending practices such as those linked to millions of foreclosures in the 2008-2009 financial meltdown.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Voting yes: Gaetz, Dunn

PROVOCATIVE REMARKS BY ARIZONA CONGRESSMAN: Voting 231 for and 187 against, the House on Feb. 6 blocked a Democratic attempt to force consideration of a resolution formally condemning Rep. Paul Gosar, R- Ariz., for having asked the U.S. Capitol police to arrest undocumented immigrants in attendance at President Trump's State of the Union address.

A yes vote was in opposition to condemning Gosar for his comments.

Voting yes: Gaetz, Dunn

TWO-YEAR BUDGET DEAL: Voting 240 for and 186 against, the House on Feb. 9 passed a federal budget (HR 1892) that would increase discretionary spending by at least $300 billion over present levels over two years and raise the national debt ceiling through February 2019. The bill would provide $6 billion for fighting opioid addiction and $20 billion for infrastructure projects over two years while funding $90 billion in disaster aid for California, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The bill is projected to push the 2018 deficit above $1 trillion and increase annual deficits by at least $320 billion over 10 years, or $418 billion counting new borrowing costs the bill would trigger.

A yes vote was to send the bill to President Trump.

Voting yes: Dunn

Voting no: Gaetz

Senate

TWO-YEAR BUDGET DEAL: Voting 71 for and 28 against, the Senate on Feb. 9 passed a bill (HR 1892, above) that would boost discretionary spending by at least $300 billion through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2019, while increasing deficits by a projected $320 billion over 10 years, or $418 billion counting new borrowing costs the bill would trigger.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the House.

Voting yes: Nelson, Rubio